New Criminal Laws in India: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Announces Changes Starting July 1
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced that three new criminal laws will be implemented in India from July 1, 2024. These laws were introduced after consultations and are necessary due to advancements in technology and forensic science. The new laws aim to reflect the spirit of Indianness and provide justice to the public.
Details of the New Laws
The three new laws are:
- Indian Justice Code
- Indian Civil Defence Code
- Indian Evidence Act
These laws will replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Training and Implementation
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Uma Shankar, stated that 40,000 police personnel have been trained on the new laws. Training was conducted in three phases, and several public-friendly provisions have been introduced, such as zero FIR and online FIR filing.
Provisions for Women
Women can now file complaints from any location, and investigating officers will visit them to record their statements.
Changes in the Laws
The new laws include:
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023
These laws introduce new crimes, increase fines, and add mandatory minimum punishments. They also include provisions for community service and audio-video recordings.
The Ministry of Home Affairs notified that these laws will come into force on July 1, 2024.
