In a historic decision, the Lok Sabha today voted in majority to pass the three criminal law bills that seek to repeal and replace The Indian Penal Code, CrPC, and the Indian Evidence Act. The three new bills passed are The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill.
While presenting the criminal law bills in the Lower House of the Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday stated that there is A provision for the death penalty for the crime of mob lynching.
He further announced that the Centre has also decided to do away with the sedition law, which was exploited by the Britishers to put Bharatiya freedom fighters behind bars. He stated that it is the first time that under the Modi government, The sedition law is being completely abolished, using which Tilak Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, and several other freedom fighters were jailed for many years.
Notably, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 were first introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. HM Shah tabled the amended versions of the bills during the Winter Session.
Key Changes Introduced in the Bills
Giving a detailed breakdown of the three criminal law bills, Shah stated that they will Strengthen police accountability as details of the arrested individuals will now be recorded at every police station in the country and an officer will be responsible for maintaining these records.
Furthermore, Shah stated the new criminal law bills have new provisions under which the government has made Trafficking laws gender-neutral. Union Minister Shah added that the Rape of a girl below 18 years of age would automatically attract POCSO equivalent provision under the new criminal laws.
The new laws also include a definition of terrorism, which till now remained undefined in any law. Mentioning the same, Shah stated that for the first time in history, the government will attach a definition to terrorism, assuring that no individual takes advantage of its lack.
Discussing hit-and-run cases, Amit Shah announced in Parliament that in case a person who hits another individual takes the victim to hospital, he would face lighter punishment, while the accused person hits and runs, he would face higher punishment.
To guarantee promptness in case hearings, Shah mentioned that under the proposed legislation, The accused will have a seven-day window to submit a plea. Within this time frame, the judge must conduct the hearing, and the trial must commence within a maximum period of 120 days. He further mentioned that if the criminal accepts his mistake within 30 days of committing it, punishment would be less and also made a provision wherein the government made it compulsory to produce all documents within 30 days, without any delays.
The new criminal law bills are in consonance with the spirit of the Constitution and have been brought keeping in mind the well-being of the people of the country.
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