Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan Welcomes New Criminal Laws in India

Odisha Law Minister and BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan has expressed his support for the Indian government’s decision to implement new criminal laws starting July 1. He believes the old laws were not suitable for the Indian system and that the new laws will help reduce the backlog of court cases, ensuring quicker justice for victims.

Harichandan highlighted that the new laws address many issues and praised the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Government of India. The new laws, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will replace the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act 1872.

Key Changes in the New Laws

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita increases police custody from 15 days to 90 days, depending on the offense. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita reduces the number of sections from 511 to 358, adds 20 new crimes, and increases penalties for 33 crimes. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam introduces 24 changes, including new provisions and sub-provisions.

These reforms prioritize crimes against women, children, and the nation, marking a shift from colonial-era laws that focused more on treason and treasury offenses.