The Madras High Court Today (July 3rd) declined to stay the operation of the three new criminal laws that came into force on July 1 replacing the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. It sought the response of the Central government to the plea challenging the Sanskrit/ Hindi names given to the three laws – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
The Bar Council of Delhi has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to postpone implementing three new criminal laws. These laws, aiming to modernize justice delivery and replace British-era legislation, have raised concerns about their potential impact on the justice system, constitutional principles, and human rights. The Council emphasizes the need for thorough review and reconsideration before their enforcement.
Today, On 1st July, The Jharkhand High Court identified a critical error in Universal LexisNexis’ Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and initiated a suo motu case. The error in Section 103(2) of the criminal law could lead to unjust outcomes. The publisher was directed to issue a corrigendum in national newspapers and update all distributed materials to prevent potential injustice.
The exemption of marital rape under Indian law has sparked scrutiny, as sexual intercourse with a wife over 18 is not classified as rape. This has raised concerns about equality, discrimination, bodily autonomy, and dignity. Despite a split verdict in the Delhi High Court, critics argue that the exemption undermines women’s fundamental rights, prompting calls for reform.
Today(on July 1),Three new criminal laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), have replaced British-era statutes to modernize India’s criminal justice system, replacing key legislations like the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act.
The Punjab government will implement three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—from July 1. Extensive training and a trial run on June 29 are part of the preparation. Agencies like police, prosecution, and prisons are being trained to ensure seamless integration. The laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Indian Evidence Act for new cases.
Three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, set to come into force on July 1 in India, aim to modernize and expedite the legal proceedings. Notable changes include specific timelines for trials and verdicts, aimed at addressing delays and ensuring a more efficient justice delivery system.
The New Criminal Laws introduced by the Centre last year are set to come into effect from July 1. The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) will be replaced with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. While introducing the three new criminal law bills last year, Home Minister Amit Shah said that state-of-the-art technologies have been incorporated into the new laws.
The Centre has trained over 600,000 officials for the July 1 implementation of new criminal laws BNS, BNSS, and BSA. The laws introduce 20 new crimes, increase imprisonment for 33 offenses, and emphasize electronic reporting, victim rights, and gender sensitivity. This aims to reform India’s criminal justice system and streamline legal procedures.
From July 1, the Indian Penal Code will be superseded by the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, introducing significant reforms in trial proceedings and handling of fugitive criminals. A landmark change will allow courts to hold trials and pass judgments in absentia, ensuring that the absence of the accused does not impede justice, which has been a critical issue under the current system.