New Delhi [India], December 25 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the three new criminal justice bills passed by Parliament last week during the winter session. The bills, titled the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023, aim to replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. The Rajya Sabha passed these bills on December 21, after they were previously approved by the Lok Sabha.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the new criminal code, there will be 358 sections, a reduction from the 511 sections in the IPC. The bill includes the addition of 20 new crimes, with increased imprisonment sentences for 33 offenses. Furthermore, the fines for 83 crimes have been increased, while mandatory minimum punishments have been introduced for 23 crimes. Six crimes will now have a penalty of community service, while 19 sections have been removed from the bill.
The passage of these bills emphasizes the protection of women and children, as well as addressing crimes related to murder and offenses against the nation. The bills received support from the leaders of various political parties, including YSRCP, BJD, TDP, AIADMK, TMC (M), and UPP (L), who participated in the debate on the issue. Some of these leaders also suggested including English titles alongside Hindi titles for the bills.
However, during the Lok Sabha session when the bills were passed, the majority of opposition members did not attend the debate. The bills were initially introduced during the Monsoon session of Parliament in August, but were eventually withdrawn after the Standing Committee on Home Affairs provided recommendations.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the passage of the bills as the beginning of a new era, stating that they would ensure time-bound justice delivery while protecting human rights.
The new legislation marks a significant change in India’s criminal justice system, aiming to address the evolving nature of crimes, provide stricter punishments, and better protect the rights of its citizens. With the President’s assent, these bills will soon come into effect, marking a crucial step forward in strengthening the country’s legal framework.
