Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the introduction of new criminal laws from July 1, aiming to replace outdated colonial-era laws in India.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.
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India is poised to undertake a landmark revision by amending three laws from the colonial era: the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. The Central Government has issued a notification stating that three recently enacted criminal laws will come into force on July 1st, 2024.
The Supreme Court Today (May 17th) sought the Centre’s stand on a petition challenging the marital rape exception under the new criminal laws. A bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud issued notice on the petition by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and said it would be listed for hearing in July along with other petitions seeking to criminalise marital rape.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the provision in the SC/ST Act that mandates capital punishment for false evidence. The challenge argues it contradicts the “rarest-of-rare” standard for capital punishment. The petitioner highlighted previous rulings, and the court plans to consider reforms in other penal laws. No cases of capital punishment under this provision have been found.
The Gujarat High Court overturned an 85-year-old former court employee’s 7-year jail sentence for misappropriation, ordering a new review. The decision was based on the unfair prioritization of a judge’s testimony over a peon’s, a violation of the Evidence Act. The importance of impartially evaluating all testimonies was emphasized.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) announced a pivotal initiative on Wednesday (21 Feb) to help legal practitioners adapt to new criminal codes. This includes a time-bound plan to implement new laws, replacing outdated ones from the 19th century. The BCI aims to support practitioners with comprehensive training and upskilling programs for a smooth transition.