New Criminal Laws in India: Big Changes in Tughlaqabad and Other Areas
New Delhi, India – As of today, new criminal laws have come into effect in India. Posters explaining these laws have been put up in various police stations, including Connaught Place, Tughlak Road, and Tughlaqabad, to inform the public.
Major Changes in the Laws
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) with the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
This new law has 358 sections, replacing the 511 sections of the IPC. It introduces 20 new crimes, increases imprisonment sentences for 33 crimes, and raises fines for 83 crimes. It also introduces community service penalties for six crimes and removes 19 sections.
Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita
This law has 531 sections, replacing the 484 sections of the CrPC. It changes 177 provisions, adds nine new sections and 39 new sub-sections, and introduces 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines and audio-video provisions have been added to 35 sections, and 14 sections have been removed.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
This law now has 170 provisions, up from 167. It changes 24 provisions, adds two new provisions and six sub-provisions, and removes six provisions.
Focus on Crimes Against Women and Children
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduces a new chapter on crimes against women and children, including stricter penalties for sexual crimes. It proposes life imprisonment or the death penalty for the rape of girls under 18 and 20 years to life imprisonment for gang rape.
New Definitions and Penalties
Terrorism is now defined and made a punishable offense, with penalties including death or life imprisonment without parole. Destroying public or private property and causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure are also crimes.
Victim Rights
The practice of filing zero FIRs has been institutionalized, allowing FIRs to be lodged anywhere. Victims have the right to a free copy of the FIR and must be informed about the investigation’s progress within 90 days.
These reforms mark a significant shift in India’s criminal justice system, focusing on protecting women, children, and national security.
