New criminal law bill 2023
On Friday, August 11, 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha as substitutes for the IPC, the code for criminal procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act laws that originated during the British Colonial era.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023 will be referred to a parliamentary panel for thorough examination, replacing the IPC and CrPC.
Key Features
1. There will be a maximum death penalty for crimes like rape of minors and mob lynching.
2. Provision to provide first-time community service as one of the punishments for pretty offenses.
3. Provision to try absconding criminals such as Dawood Ibrahim in absentia.
4. Adding new offenses such as threatening India’s sovereignty, unity, or integrity or engaging in secession, armed revolt, subversive activity, or separatist activity.
Amit Shah on this bill
“Provision of sedition offenses will be completely repealed in the new bill replacing the IPC. I can assure the House that these bills will transform our criminal justice system. The laws that are slated for replacement… their original intent was to safeguard and bolster the British administration, with the primary focus being punishment rather than the delivery of justice. Through their substitution, the newly introduced trio of laws aims to prioritize the protection of rights for the citizens of India. From 1860 to 2023, the country’s criminal justice system functioned as per the laws made by the British. With these three laws, there will be a major change in the criminal justice system in the country. Under this Bill, we have set the goal that the conviction ratio has to be above 90 percent. That is why we have made an important provision that, under the Sections that provide for 7 years or a greater jail term, in all those cases, the forensic team’s visit to the crime scene will be made compulsory. The intention will shift from punishment to the provision of justice. Punishment will be administered to foster a sense of deterrence against criminal acts.”