President Droupadi Murmu Gives Nod To 3 Bills Replacing IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act

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• Dec 25, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023; and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, received...

Digital Desk: President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on Monday to three landmark criminal bills, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Evidence Act. The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023; and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, received unanimous approval from both Houses of Parliament during the Winter session.

The passage of these bills was not without controversy, as they were pushed through the Rajya Sabha via a voice vote, exploiting the absence of over two-thirds of the opposition MPs. The lawmakers were suspended en masse due to unruly behavior during their insistence on discussing the Parliament security breach on December 13.

Legal experts suggest that these new laws will significantly strengthen punishments for offenses related to terrorism, lynching, and activities jeopardizing national security. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, presenting the bills in the Rajya Sabha, declared that the laws would end the era of prolonged legal battles and ensure justice within a three-year timeframe.

"I feel proud that for the first time, India's Parliament is framing laws for the country's criminal justice system that have a purely 'Bharatiya' soul, body, and thought," Shah proclaimed during the presentation.

He defended the bills against critics, emphasizing that they provide a clear definition of terrorism, a term that remained ambiguous despite decades of rule by previous administrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed Shah's sentiments, hailing the laws as a "watershed moment" in Indian history.

"The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, is a watershed moment in our history. These bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare," tweeted PM Modi.

He underlined the bills' transformative nature, emphasizing their alignment with India's commitment to reform. The laws bring the legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era, leveraging technology and forensic science. PM Modi asserted that the bills would provide enhanced protection for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable sections of society.

"In our Amrit Kaal, these legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy-driven. These speeches by Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji further elaborate on the key features of these bills," added the Prime Minister.

The new legislation is poised to come down heavily on organized crime, terrorism, and offenses that pose a threat to the nation's peaceful progress. With the enactment of these bills, India ushers in a new legal framework, marking a historic departure from colonial-era laws and embracing a more compassionate and technologically advanced approach to justice.