Amit Shah Urges Support for New Criminal Laws in India

New Delhi, India – Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on opposition parties to support the new criminal laws in India, which came into effect on July 1. The new laws are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita.

Opposition Criticism

Shah addressed the criticism from opposition parties, stating that extensive discussions were held before the laws were implemented. He mentioned that 9.29 hours of discussions took place in the Lok Sabha with 34 members participating, and over 6 hours in the Rajya Sabha with 40 members involved.

He refuted claims that the bill was introduced without proper notice, explaining that it was listed before the Business Advisory Committee and that the opposition had been boycotting the House.

Training and Implementation

Shah highlighted that discussions on these laws spanned over four years. He also mentioned that 22.50 lakh police personnel are being trained by over 12,000 trainers, and that 6.20 lakh police personnel in over 17,000 police stations have already been trained.

The first FIR under the new law was registered in Gwalior for a motorcycle theft at 12:10 am on July 1. Shah clarified that crimes occurring after July 1, 2024, will be tried under the new laws, while those before will follow the old laws.

Focus on Victims

The new laws emphasize a victim-oriented approach, particularly focusing on crimes against women and children. Crimes like gang rape and mob lynching are now separately defined. Shah assured that these laws will be the most modern once fully implemented.

Key Features

Under the new laws, a free FIR copy is mandatory for the complainant, and visiting a police station to register an FIR is no longer required. The laws also mandate that an arrested person must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, and justice delivery should occur within 45 days.

Digitalization

Shah announced that 99.99% of police stations have been computerized, and all processes, including chargesheets, will be digital. Forensic evidence and videography during searches are now mandatory.

Legislative Details

The three new laws were approved by Parliament on December 21, 2023, and received presidential assent on December 25, 2023. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes 358 sections, adding 20 new crimes and increasing penalties for 33 crimes. The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita has 531 sections, with 177 changes and 44 new provisions. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam includes 170 provisions, with 24 changes and 2 new provisions.