UP: CM Yogi reviews progress ahead of implementation of new criminal laws
Jun 13, 2024
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 13 : Ahead of the implementation of new criminal laws on July 1, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the progress made in implementing the new laws.
He also gave necessary instructions regarding implementing them and making all the stakeholders related to them aware of them.
It is noteworthy that in his review, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken five vows in front of the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. One of these vows was to end all signs of slavery. To fulfil this vow, the Parliament changed the laws made by the British to make them accessible, transparent and accountable".
In the new criminal laws, instead of punishment, there will be a special emphasis on technology for justice, transparency and speedy trial.
The three laws, i.e., the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, replace the earlier criminal laws, namely, the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. As notified, these criminal laws are to take effect from July 1.
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 The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill.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A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed from the bill Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions), and a total of 24 provisions have been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 Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted from the bill.
The recent criminal justice reform in India marks a significant shift in priorities, placing crimes against women, children, and the nation at the forefront. This stands in stark contrast to colonial-era laws, where concerns like treason and treasury offences outweighed the needs of ordinary citizens.
