The Indian government is set to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), replacing the Indian Penal Code, to include a section on sexual crimes against men and transgender persons. Three new criminal laws are taking effect, despite objections from opposition-led states, aiming to overhaul the country’s criminal justice framework and implement technological advancements in evidence recording and filing procedures.
The Delhi High Court is expected to decide on Bibhav Kumar’s plea for compensation for his alleged illegal arrest by the Delhi Police. Kumar, a close aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is accused of assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal and is currently in judicial custody. His bail plea has been rejected, and the case carries political implications.
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.
Today, On 26th June, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized prioritizing justice over punishment with the introduction of new criminal laws, aiming to expedite judicial proceedings. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 will replace outdated British-era laws, aligning with Indian values and emphasizing comprehensive justice for all.
A public interest litigation has been filed today in the Supreme Court against three newly amended criminal law bills in India. The petitioner seeks the formation of an expert committee to evaluate the legislation’s viability. The proposed bills aim to reform the country’s criminal laws, but the petition highlights various defects and discrepancies.(arguments: 50 words)
Today( 26th June),The West Bengal Bar Council designated July 1 as ‘Black Day’ to protest three new criminal laws, set to replace existing codes, on the grounds of being anti-people and undemocratic. The legal community’s united stand seeks to highlight concerns and potential implications for the justice system and the public at large.
With the three new criminal laws set to come into effect from July 1, the Union Cabinet on June 19 approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) with a total financial outlay of ₹2,254.43 crore from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
Today, On 18th June, The Kerala High Court issued a notice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil, and her firm Exalogic Solutions regarding alleged corruption in financial transactions with Cochin Mineral and Rutile Ltd. Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s plea challenges a vigilance court’s dismissal and is scheduled for the next hearing on July 2. Another petition and a separate investigation are also pending.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the introduction of new criminal laws from July 1, aiming to replace outdated colonial-era laws in India. Despite opposition claims of non-consultation, Meghwal assured ongoing training programs and infrastructure development to support the transition, emphasizing the focus on timely and efficient justice delivery in the modern legal framework.
Today, On 6th June, The Supreme Court ruled that compensating victims in criminal cases should not reduce the accused’s sentence. Such payments aim to rehabilitate victims, not to mitigate punishment, and using compensation to lessen sentences would disrupt criminal justice. The court stressed the importance of considering victims separately from sentencing and directed additional compensation for the convicts.
