New Criminal Laws In India / 3 new criminal laws came into force in the country from today, know what has changed

New Criminal Laws In India: Three new criminal laws have come into force across the country from Monday, bringing sweeping changes in India's criminal justice system and ending colonial-era laws. The Indian Justice Code, Indian Civil Defense Code and Indian Evidence Act will replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act respectively. The new laws will establish a modern justice system that will include provisions such as 'Zero FIR', filing complaints with the police online, electronic means such as sending summons through 'SMS' (message on mobile phone) and mandatory videography of the crime scene for all heinous crimes.

Official sources said that these laws have attempted to deal with some of the current social realities and crimes and provide a mechanism to deal with them effectively keeping in mind the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the new laws will give priority to providing justice, while the laws during the British (British rule over the country) gave priority to punitive action.

Judgment within 45 days of completion of trial

He said, "These laws have been made by Indians, for Indians and by the Indian Parliament and they abolish the judicial laws of the colonial era." Under the new laws, the verdict in criminal cases will come within 45 days of completion of the trial and charges will be framed within 60 days of the first hearing. The statement of the rape victim will be recorded by a woman police officer in the presence of her guardian or relative and the medical report will have to be submitted within seven days.

Sedition in place of treason

The new laws define acts of organized crime and terrorism, treason has been replaced by sedition and videography of all search and seizure operations has been made mandatory. A new chapter has been added on crimes against women and children, buying and selling of a child has been made a heinous crime and a provision of death penalty or life imprisonment has been added for gang rape of a minor. Sources said that the ‘overlap’ sections have been merged and simplified and it will have only 358 sections as against 511 sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Provisions for mob lynching too

Sources said that cases of false promise of marriage, rape of a minor, mob lynching, snatching etc. are registered but the existing Indian Penal Code did not have any special provisions to deal with such incidents. They said that provisions have been made in the Indian Judicial Code to deal with them. Sources said that these three laws are based on justice, transparency and fairness. Under the new laws, now any person can register a report of incidents through electronic communication medium without going to the police station. This will make it easier and faster to register a case and prompt action can be taken by the police.

FIR can be registered anywhere

With ‘Zero FIR’, now any person can register an FIR in any police station, even if the crime has not occurred in its jurisdiction. This will eliminate the delay in initiating legal proceedings and the case can be registered immediately. Another interesting aspect of the new law is that in case of arrest, a person has been given the right to inform any person of his choice about his situation. This will enable the arrested person to get immediate assistance. Apart from this, the arrest details will be prominently displayed in police stations and district headquarters so that the family and friends of the arrested person can easily get important information.

Free treatment to victim women and children

The new laws give priority to the investigation of crimes against women and children, so that the investigation will be completed within two months of the case being registered. Under the new laws, victims will have the right to get regular information on the progress of their case within 90 days. In the new laws, victims of crimes against women and children will be provided free first aid or treatment in all hospitals. This provision ensures that the victim gets the necessary medical care immediately. Both the accused and the victim will now have the right to get the FIR, police report, charge sheet, statement, confession and other documents within 14 days. The courts can adjourn the trial for a maximum of two times to avoid unnecessary delay in hearing the case to deliver timely justice.

Door to door police facility for the elderly

The new laws make it mandatory for all state governments to implement witness protection schemes to ensure the safety and cooperation of witnesses and enhance the credibility and effectiveness of legal processes. Transgenders are now included in the definition of 'gender', which promotes inclusiveness and equality. To provide greater security to the victim and promote transparency in the investigation of any crime of rape, the statement of the victim will be recorded by the police through audio-video medium. Women, people below the age of fifteen, people above the age of 60 and people suffering from disability or serious illness will be exempted from coming to the police station and they can get police assistance at their place of residence.

New criminal laws are citizen-centric. Now FIR can be registered from anywhere at any time.#AzadBharatKeApneKanoon pic.twitter.com/bHrXM5qhc1

— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2024

#WATCH | Delhi: Posters about the new criminal laws put up outside Tughlak Road PS to create awareness among the people. (30/06)

New criminal laws will come into force across India from 1st July pic.twitter.com/7e3sfNcRNu

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2024