Srinagar, July 1 : India is implementing three new criminal laws that will significantly reform its criminal justice system from today.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Passed by Parliament in December 2023 and signed by President Droupadi Murmu shortly after, these laws incorporate contemporary provisions and technologies, aiming to prioritize justice over punishment and expedite legal processes.
The BNS, with 358 sections, introduces new crimes, increases sentences for 33 offenses, and incorporates stringent penalties for crimes against women and children, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for gang rape of minors.
Terrorism is defined and criminalized for the first time.
The BNSS, with 531 sections, brings 177 changes, adds timelines to ensure speedy justice, and introduces new provisions for modern judicial procedures.
The BSA updates the Indian Evidence Act with 170 provisions, enhancing the legal framework for evidence management.
These reforms, initiated in 2019, aim to end prolonged legal delays and ensure justice within three years, reflecting the government’s commitment to a more efficient judicial system.
