In a move which will completely overhaul the criminal justice system in the country; three newly enacted laws – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – will come into effect from Monday (July 1, 2024).
According to a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs earlier, the three laws will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
The three new criminal laws have incorporated several new provisions to suit contemporary times and technologies in vogue.
The three laws will focus on justice rather than punishment and are aimed at providing speedy justice, all the way, strengthening the judicial and court management system emphasising on ‘access to justice by all’.
The three new laws received Indian Parliament’s nod on December 21, 2023, and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023.
The new laws are coming into effect just weeks after PM Narendra Modi returned to power for the third straight term.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud recently praised the introduction of three fresh criminal laws by describing it as a crucial moment for Indian society.
CJI Chandrachud underscored that these new laws mark a significant stride in the modernisation of the nation’s justice system.
“The three new legislations will help in detecting the loopholes in the criminal justice system which has to be addressed,” the CJI said.