LS discusses 3 new bills to replace criminal laws

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday began deliberations on the three bills, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.

- Prawesh Lama

The discussion took place even as 95 opposition members were suspended for the remainder of the Winter session.

BJP parliamentarians said that the existing laws were symbols of India's colonial legacy, while the new bills are citizen-centric, rooted in India's values, and focus on reformation and justice. Discussions on the bills were slated to continue on Wednesday.

Union home minister Amit Shah first introduced the three bills on August 11, describing it as a legislative overhaul that would "transform our criminal justice system."

They were then sent to a standing committee of parliament for review. On December 12, Shah withdrew the original bills to reintroduce their modified versions, incorporating the panel's recommendations.

The new bills include key changes in how the law deals with offences of terrorism, acts against the state, registration of e-FIRS, corruption in election processes, electronic evidence, and enhanced punishment for crimes against women and children.

For instance, under the new law, all people convicted for gang rape of a minor could be sentenced to death. In the IPC, the offence has been classified into two categories - the gang rape of a minor below 12 entailed capital punishment, while for that of a minor between 12 and 16, the maximum is life imprisonment.