LS takes up three amended Criminal Law Bills for consideration and passing
The Lok Sabha has taken up the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 for consideration and passing.The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, which is the principal law on criminal offences in India. The new bill adds community service as a form of punishment.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC). The CrPC provides for the procedure for arrest, prosecution, and bail. The Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 (BSB2) replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The Act governs the admissibility of evidence in Indian Courts. It applies to all civil and criminal proceedings.
The provision has been made in these legislations to digitize the entire process from FIR to case diary, case diary to charge sheet and charge sheet to judgement.
Initiating the discussion, Talari Rangaiah of YSRCP termed the bill as progressive and cohesive. He said, the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 represents a significant shift from IPC 1860 to create a more unified, equitable and responsible legal framework that aligns current concern and growing societal standards.
Participating in the discussion, Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was focused on punishment, while the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita focuses on justice. BJP member P P Chaudhary added that these three bills will pave the way for reducing the pendency of court case across the country.
Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena supported these legislations saying that these bills are necessary. Bhartruhari Mahtab of BJD said, the new criminal codes make some crucial changes as the bill for the first time brings terrorism, corruption and organized crime under the ambit of ordinary criminal law. He said, it is great that the new law for Indian Criminal jurisprudence is being enacted.
Other members including Dr Satya Pal Singh, P P Chaudhary, Dilip Saikia and Sunita Duggal of BJP also participated in the discussion. The discussion remained inconclusive.
