New Delhi: India’s criminal justice system underwent a significant overhaul on Monday as three new criminal codes replaced the entire set of British-era laws, including the Indian Penal Code.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam have now taken the place of the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. According to government statements, these changes aim to expedite justice delivery and align with contemporary challenges and evolving forms of crime.
All You Need To Know
- Key reforms include mandates for judgments to be delivered within 45 days after the completion of trials and charges to be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.
- The new laws facilitate the filing of Zero FIRs at any police station, enable online registration of police complaints, and allow for electronic serving of summons.
- Notably, all heinous crimes now require videography of crime scenes, and summonses can be served electronically, streamlining legal processes.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that these changes are designed to ensure “speedy justice and justice to all.” Implementation will necessitate the training of forensic teams, whose presence will be mandatory for offenses carrying a sentence of seven years or more, Shah added.
- “These provisions address emerging crimes such as gang rapes, mob killings, false promise of marriage, and others,” Shah stated, highlighting the increasing demand for forensic experts nationwide, which the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) will address. He noted that the NFSU’s expansion across states aims to bolster forensic capabilities.
- However, opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticized the government’s decision, alleging that the laws were rushed without adequate consultation.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to delay the implementation to allow for parliamentary review and broader consultations.
- “These laws mark a significant moment for our society because criminal law profoundly impacts our daily lives,” remarked Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, underscoring the societal implications of the reforms.
The new criminal codes are set to redefine the landscape of India’s legal framework, aiming to ensure more efficient, equitable, and responsive justice delivery in the country.
