Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Lok Sabha, on Thursday, approved three new criminal laws, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, replacing outdated colonial-era legislations.
The bills were passed amidst protests, with 97 Opposition MPs suspended from the Lower House over security breach concerns, highlighting a contentious backdrop.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the Indian Penal Code-1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaces the CrPC of 1973, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill supersedes the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah outlined the three principles underlying the new laws: a person's freedom, human rights, and impartiality. He emphasized that they reflect the spirit of the original Indian Code of Justice.
Amit Shah highlighted key amendments, including reduced punishment if a crime is admitted within 30 days and the prioritization of crimes against women/children, impact on human body, and national security.
The amended laws make it mandatory to record victims' statements online, set a fixed deadline for filing an FIR, and ensure the presentation of investigation reports to the court within 24 hours.
The new laws impose a 180-day limit for pending chargesheets, provide a seven-day window for the accused to file a plea for acquittal, and guarantee a trial within 120 days.
To enhance efficiency, the amendments introduce a time limit for plea bargaining, mandate the presentation of all trial documents within 30 days, and enable trial proceedings in the absence of the accused after 90 days.
For the first time, the laws define "organized crime," encompassing cyber crimes, economic crimes, land grabbing, arms trade, dacoity, and human trafficking.
Addressing financial challenges faced by the needy during legal pursuits, Amit Shah emphasized that the new laws aim to bring clarity and efficiency to the judicial process, focusing on being gender-neutral, victim-centric, and justice-centric rather than punishment-centric.