New criminal laws replacing IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act come into effect
The new laws have been implemented despite experts, rights groups and state governments raising concerns and calling for their review.
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Three new criminal laws – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – came into effect on Monday.
The laws have replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Provisions under these laws will continue to apply to offences committed before Monday.
The new laws have been implemented despite experts, rights groups and state governments raising concerns and calling for their review.
On Sunday, Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, however, said that the three laws were introduced after consultation and “were necessary given the developments in technology and forensic science”, reported ANI.
Experts have pointed out that the laws increase the state's power to collect personal data and seize property. The laws also make it more difficult to secure bail and file first information reports, they said.
Punishments for crimes such as lynching, endangering national security and terrorism have been made more stringent.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita allows police to detain a person for up to 90 days. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, this period was limited to 15 days. The extended pre-trial detention for ordinary offences has drawn objections, with human rights activists saying that the law will be used to curtail personal liberties.
A week before...
