July 3, 2024
New Delhi, July 1, 2024 - India has introduced three significant new criminal laws that mark a major overhaul of the country's criminal justice system.
These laws, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.
The new laws are the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) The BNS replaces the 163-year-old IPC with several notable updates:
2. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) The BNSS replaces the CrPC with several procedural improvements:
3. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) Replacing the Indian Evidence Act, the BSA modernizes rules on evidence:
As part of the overhaul, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduces stringent measures to combat terrorism.
The new law defines a terrorist act as any activity that threatens India's unity, integrity, sovereignty, or economic security with the intent to create fear among the population.
It includes severe penalties for those involved in terrorism, including life imprisonment and, in certain cases, the death penalty.
This aims to provide a stronger legal framework to combat terrorism and enhance national security.
The new laws were passed by the Parliament in December 2023 and received presidential assent shortly thereafter.
They aim to modernize the legal framework, ensuring it is more attuned to contemporary societal needs and technological advancements.
This overhaul is expected to enhance the efficiency of the judicial process and provide more robust mechanisms to handle modern crimes such as cybercrime and organized crime.
These reforms represent a significant shift from the colonial-era laws, reflecting India's evolving legal landscape and the need for a justice system that is both fair and efficient.​