From rape to hit-and-run cases, here’s key changes in new Criminal Law Bills
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently discussed about the three new criminal law bills in Lok Sabha in New Delhi.
New Delhi: The new Criminal Law Bills has been passed by the Lok Sabha. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently discussed about the three new criminal law bills in Lok Sabha following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that these laws are a bid to extinguish colonial laws from justice system.
Earlier, the Union Minister withdrew three Bills Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 to replace criminal laws from the Lok Sabha.
Speaking about the bills, Amit Shah said, “The purpose of the Indian Penal Code, which was made in 1860, was to punish, not to give justice. Following the recognition of this House, the ‘Indian Judicial Code, ‘Indian Civil Defense Code’ in place of CrPC 1998 and the Indian Evidence Bill in place of the Indian Evidence Act 1872 will be implemented in India.”
“All the laws in IPC and CrPC were 150 years old. In the historic House, for the first time, under the leadership of PM Modi ji, I have brought about very radical changes in the three 150-year-old laws that govern our criminal justice system, which concern Indian-ness, the Indian Constitution and the people of India,” he further added.
Key Changes in the new Bills
- In case of offences like rape, gang rape, murder and kidnapping the investigation should be done on the basis of the forensic science and latest technology.
- Victims will be given right to speak during the trial and Zero FIR. The court cannot allow withdrawal or closure of the case without hearing to the victim.
- In case of accidental death like if a person runs over someone with a car by accident, if the person takes the victim to the hospital, then that person will have a lighter punishment. But if the case is of hit and run, then the accused will have to face higher punishment, and can be sentenced to imprisonment for years.
- If an under-trial prisoner has completed one-third of the imprisonment period, that person can get bail.
- As per the new rule, the Trial in absentia will be allowed, however, if the accused have fled from the country, they will be convicted and punished.
- Death penalty will be given to one who is mob lynching as per the new criminal law.
- Accused will get seven days to file a plea for acquittal. The judge will have to hold the hearing of the case within those seven days and within a maximum of 120 days the case will be come to trial.
Ms Kalinga