Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday stated that the new criminal laws that came into effect today have ended.
The era of British laws in India, converting the criminal justice system into ‘completely Swadeshi’. He noted that these laws are in accordance with the spirit of our constitution. Once their implementation is completed, they will stand as the most modern set of laws, he added.
“I would like to congratulate the people of the country that about 77 years after independence, our criminal justice system is becoming completely ‘Swadeshi’. This will function on Indian ethos. After 75 years, these laws were contemplated upon and when these laws are in effect from today, colonial laws have been scrapped and laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice,” he said.
The Union Minister noted that “many groups will benefit” from the new criminal laws, which prioritise women and children.
“Instead of ‘Dand’, it is now ‘Nyay’. Instead of delay, there will be speedy trials and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the police were protected, but now, victims’ and complainants’ rights will be protected too,” he said in a press conference, adding “speedy trial and justice will be provided in place of delay”.
Now, instead of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there will be Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Instead of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), there will be Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Instead of the Indian Evidence Act, there will be Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), the Home Minister stressed.
“We have decided the priority of sections and chapters in line with the spirit of our Constitution. The first priority has been given to (the chapters on) crimes against women and children. I believe that this was needed to be done much earlier,” Shah remarked.
Regarding allegations of passing laws without adequate discussion in Parliament, Amit Shah rejected the accusations, stating, “No other law in the history of the country has been discussed in such detail in Parliament”.
The first case under the new criminal laws was registered in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,” stated the Home Minister. “It involved a theft; someone’s motorcycle was stolen. The case was registered at 12:10 am,” he said.