Delhi Court summons notary after Dhruv Rathee’s lawyers flagged a document certified on Republic Day. BJP leader Suresh Nakhua’s defamation case faces scrutiny over alleged defects in evidence.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed three new criminal laws in Delhi, intended to replace colonial-era legislation. These laws focus on justice rather than punishment, reflecting the Prime Minister’s vision for a modern legal system. Additionally, Delhi introduced the MedLEaPR digital system to enhance medical and legal reporting efficiency within the justice process.
Today(17th Sept),The Supreme Court of India rejected PILs challenging the new criminal laws that replaced the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act, citing deficiencies in the petitions’ drafting. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan advised the petitioners to undertake more detailed research if they wish to address their concerns in court again.
Former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit praised the new criminal laws for addressing mob lynching and welcomed changes related to hit-and-run cases. He supported the 15-day police custody rule and hailed the abolition of the colonial-era sedition law. Lalit compared the new laws to previous anti-terrorism legislation and emphasized the need for a democratic society.
Today(on 23rd August),The Government of India informed the Supreme Court that Section 479 of the BNSS-2023, which limits the detention period for undertrial prisoners, will be applied retrospectively across the country. This could significantly affect the handling of undertrials, regardless of when their cases were registered.
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has expressed concerns to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about potential misuse of new criminal laws against journalists. They emphasize the need for additional safeguards and proposed a review of the laws to prevent frivolous prosecution. The Guild seeks protection of media freedom under the Indian Constitution and requests a meeting with Shah to address these issues.
New criminal laws effective since July 1 challenge Delhi’s veteran lawyers to relearn legal sections they have known for decades, under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section numbers have changed, requiring significant effort and adaptation. Concerns arise regarding increased police power and limitations on freedom of expression. The impact on the judicial system and legal practice in India is unfolding.
Today(on 19th July), a Division Bench of Justices S.S. Sundar and N. Senthilkumar will hear the petitions challenging the constitutionality of new laws replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure, IPC, and Evidence Act. Filed by DMK organising secretary R.S. Bharathi, the PILs target the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
The West Bengal Government today has set up a seven-member committee, led by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court, to review three new criminal laws that replaced the British-era laws on July 1. The committee, including state ministers, the advocate general, and police officials, will submit its findings within three months. West Bengal is the third state to amend these laws.
The Tamil Nadu government today has formed a one-man committee to suggest changes to new criminal laws. Chief Minister MK Stalin urged the committee to consult stakeholders and submit a report within a month. The laws, criticized for lack of proper discussion, sparked protests nationwide. Karnataka also seeks state-level amendments. The Union Government passed the laws in haste and without proper consultation.