New Delhi: On Monday, three new criminal laws came into effect in India. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. These laws introduce provisions like Zero FIR, online police complaint registration, and mandatory videography of crime scenes.
From now on, all new FIRs will be registered under the BNS, while existing cases will continue under the old laws. The new legislation mandates that judgments in criminal cases must be delivered within 45 days of trial completion and charges framed within 60 days of the first hearing. It also ensures that statements of rape victims are recorded by a female officer in the presence of a guardian, and medical reports must be produced within seven days.
The laws redefine organised crimes and terrorism, replace sedition with treason, and mandate video recording of searches and seizures. New provisions address crimes like the false promise of marriage, gang rape of minors, and mob lynching. The laws aim to ensure justice, transparency, and fairness, with a focus on Indian values.
Home Minister of India Amit Shah, who introduced these laws, emphasised that they prioritise justice over penal action, unlike their colonial predecessors. He highlighted the inclusion of gender, encompassing transgender people, and the requirement for state governments to implement witness protection schemes. The laws facilitate electronic legal processes, making it easier for victims, witnesses, and the accused to engage with the justice system.
