India’s criminal justice system will undergo a complete rebuild today with three fresh criminal codes restoring the full set of British-era laws, including the Indian Penal Code.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will restore the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.
The laws were changed to ensure rapid justice and be in sync with this day, and age and the new crime that comes into existence every day, the government said.
Judgements are required within 45 days of completion of trial and charges are framed within 60 days of first hearing.
The new law will allow any civil citizen to file a Zero FIR at any police station, any way of jurisdiction; it will admit online registration complaints and electronic serving of muster.
The new criminal law makes it clear that videography of crime scenes is mandatory for all odious crimes. Indictments can be served electronically, speeding up the legal processes.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the change was made to ensure “fast justice and justice for everyone”. Proper execution of these laws will require training and forensic teams, whose visits have been made mandatory for offences carrying a sentence of seven years or more, he said.
New provisions have been made giving appearing crimes like gang raps, being killed by mobs, false promises of marriage and others. “This new law will increase the demand for forensic experts across the country, which the National Forensic Science University will provide for”, Mr. Amit Shah said.
The National Forensic Science University is open in 9 states and will be expanded to 16 states.
The Opposition parties, including the Congress, maintain the decision to implement the new criminal laws from July 1 has been taken in a hurry. More conversation was required before enforcing them.
West Bengal Chief Minister Manta Benerjee prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to postpone the implementation of “hurried passed” laws.
“These laws mark a milestone movement for our society because no law affects the day-to-day conduct of our society like the criminal law”, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has said.
