New Criminal Laws / 'From today the laws made by the British have been repealed' - Home Minister Amit Shah said on the new laws

New Criminal Laws: Making a big change in the criminal justice system in the country, 3 new laws have been implemented from Monday today. While the opposition is attacking the new law, the ruling party is counting its benefits. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that the era of colonial law is now over. Now justice will be given instead of punishment in the country. There will be quick hearing instead of delay. Sedition law has also been abolished. Amit Shah said, "I want to congratulate the people of the country that after 77 years of independence, the criminal justice system is now becoming completely indigenous and will run on the basis of Indian values. These laws were considered after 75 years."

'There will be quick hearing, quick justice will be given'

He further said, "From today when these laws have come into force, the long-standing colonial laws have been abolished and the laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice. Justice will replace punishment in the country. People will now get speedy trial and speedy justice instead of delay. Earlier only the rights of the police were protected but now the rights of the victims and complainants will also be protected.”

Speaking about the abolition of the ‘sedition’ law, Amit Shah said, “Sedition was a law that the British made to protect their rule. Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak and Sardar Patel… all of them had served 6-6 years of sentence under this law. Kesari was also banned under this law. But now we have abolished the sedition law and have brought in a new section in its place for anti-national activities.”

3 new laws came into force from July 1

Earlier today on Monday (July 1), 3 new criminal laws came into force in the country as a major change. It is believed that this will bring far-reaching changes in the criminal justice system of India. The Indian Code of Justice (BNS) 2023, the Code of Civil Defense of India (BNSS) 2023 and the Indian Evidence Act (BSA) 2023 have now become effective across the country. These three new laws have now replaced the British era laws, namely Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) and Indian Evidence Act (IEA).

From now on, all new FIRs in the country will be registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, cases registered before July 1 will continue to be tried under the old laws until their final settlement.

358 sections in the Code of Justice

Amit Shah said that the new laws have been made by the Parliament of India. The new law will reduce trials. Old sections have been removed and new sections have been added, now the emphasis is on justice instead of punishment. According to Indian law, till now every criminal was punished according to the Indian Penal Code. This Penal Code was made in 1860. Now, punishment will be given under the Indian Penal Code, which got the approval of the Parliament only last year. There were 511 sections in the Indian Penal Code (IPC). At the same time, there are 358 sections in the Indian Penal Code (BNC). The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898 had 484 sections. Now the Code of Civil Protection (BNSS) 2023 has 531 sections. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 had 167 provisions. Now the Indian Evidence Act 2023 has 170 provisions.

Now there will be justice, not punishment

Speaking on the three new criminal laws, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "First of all, I would like to congratulate all the countrymen that after almost 77 years of independence, our criminal justice system has become completely indigenous. It will work on Indian values. These laws were discussed after 75 years and today when these laws are coming into effect, the laws of the British era are being completely abolished. Now the rules made in the Indian Parliament will be effective. Instead of punishment, justice will now be given. Now instead of delay, there will be fast hearing and justice will be delivered soon. Earlier only the rights of the police were protected, but now the rights of the victim and the complainant will also be protected."