New criminal laws come into effect today

Three new criminal laws will come into effect across the country from Monday, bringing widespread changes in India’s criminal justice system and ending colonialera laws.

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The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will replace the Britishera Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The new laws will bring in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.

They have tried to address some of the current social realities and crimes and provide a mechanism to effectively deal with these, keeping in view the ideals enshrined in the Constitution, official sources said.

Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the three laws were necessary given the developments in technology and forensic science.

Meghwal also mentioned that the above-mentioned laws have been introduced after consulting.

“The new criminal laws will be implemented from 1 July 2024. The three criminal laws have been introduced after holding consultations. The three laws were necessary given the developments in technology, and forensic science. The present government aims to provide justice to the public of the nation,” he said.