Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has hailed the enactment of three new criminal laws, saying that it is a “clear indication” of India changing.
“I think that the enactment of three new criminal laws by the Parliament is a clear indicator that India is changing. India is on a move, and we do need new legal instruments to deal with the current challenges that we envisage for the future of our society,” These laws, he said, “signify a watershed moment for our society because no law affects the day-to-day conduct of our society like the criminal law.” The CJI was speaking at a conference on ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’, in the national Capital.
Implementation success
“India is set for a significant overhaul of its criminal justice system with the upcoming implementation of three new criminal laws,” he said and added that the new laws would be successful if those in charge of implementing them, adapt to them. He further stated that the “much-needed improvements” have been introduced to “protect the interests of victims and carry out investigation and prosecution of offences efficiently”.
The CJI said that while “the new criminal laws create provisions that are synchronised to our times, it must be ensured that the infrastructure accompanying these procedures are developed adequately for the country to reap the benefits of the new laws”.
DY Chandrachud
Capacity building
“This naturally means that we must heavily invest in capacity building of our forensic experts, conduct training of investigating officers, and invest in our court system. Key provisions of the new criminal law would only produce a positive impact if these investments are made as soon as possible,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Saksha Adhiniyam (BSA) – which seek to replace the colonial- era Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, will come into force from July 1 this year. The Parliament approved the laws on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25.
