NATIONAL : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three bills to replace the colonial-era criminal laws by voice vote.
The three redrafted bills — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill — were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week.
The Home Minister said that under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (second) Sanhita, 2023, there would be 531 sections in CrPC, whereas earlier there were only 484 sections. Home Minister Shah said that under the new Bill, changes have been made in 177 sections, and nine new sections have been added while 14 sections have been repealed.
The Minister said that under the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, which replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, will have 358 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections. Mr. Shah said that 21 new offences have been added whereas the tenure of punishment has been enhanced in 41 offences.
Home Minister Shah said that under the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 (BSB2), which replaces the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, will have 170 sections instead of the earlier 167 sections. He said that the changes have been incorporated in 24 sections.
These bills will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act-1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.
Replying to a debate on the bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Shah said the proposed laws were framed after comprehensive consultations and that he had gone through every comma and full stop of the draft legislation before bringing them before the House for approval.
He said the existing criminal laws were reflective of the colonial mindset to punish and not impart justice. He also stated that these three laws made with the Indian soul will bring a huge change in our criminal justice system.
“The three new bills seek to establish a justice system based on Indian thinking… The three proposed criminal laws will free people from the colonial mindset and its symbols,” Shah said before the Lok Sabha passed the bills by voice vote. (with inputs from media agency)