"Foundations of a Police state...": Congress MP Manish Tewari on three new criminal laws

New Delhi [India], July 1 : After the introduction of the three new criminal laws, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday claimed that the Central government is laying the foundation of turning the country into a police state.
The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, came into effect on July 1 at midnight.
"They will lay the foundations of a Police State in the country. And that is what I alluded to in my speech on the President's address. In addition to flagging the fact that for the past four years, China has transgressed into Indian territory and there has been no response from the government in terms of either getting Indian territory vacated or even having a debate on the floor of the House to explain to the country as to what the factual situation is. So in a sense, the concerns of the opposition were laid on the floor of the House today... For the last five years, there's been no reply to any substantive issue raised by the opposition. We do hope there's a response this time," Tewari said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the opposition parties for opposing the new criminal laws and said that there are several occasions to do politics but the new acts should be supported.
On the Opposition's criticism that no discussions were held before implementation, Shah said, "For these new laws, a few friends in the Opposition are saying different things before the media. I would like to tell you all that 9.29 hours of discussions were held in Lok Sabha and 34 members participated in them. In Rajya Sabha, over 6 hours of discussions were held. 40 members participated in the discussions."
"It is also being falsely said that the bill was brought after the members were sent out (suspended). Bill was already listed before the Business Advisory Committee. I firmly believe that the opposition had been boycotting the House beforehand. Perhaps they didn't want to participate in discussions. I want to tell the opposition that there are several occasions to do politics but this should be supported," he said.
Shah said that discussions on these laws were held for over four years. "It would be one of the laws on which such a long discussion was held before it was taken into Parliament," he added."Prison, forensic, and prison personnel are also trained. For the training of 22.50 lakh police personnel, over 12,000 trainers are ready," Shah said.
Shah said that by August 15, the new criminal laws will be implemented in all Union territories.
The three new laws received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and was published in the official gazette on the same day.
The three new laws received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and was published in the official gazette on the same day.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill.
Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Sanhita.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Adhiniyam.