Team Blitz India
THE criminal justice system is now completely ‘Swadeshi’ and embedded in Indian ethos after Independence, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah, briefing media on the three new criminal laws. The three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023- came into force on July 1. They will be replacing the Indian Penal Code, (IPC); the Code of Criminal Procedure; and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. They aim to create a more accessible, supportive, and efficient justice system for everyone.
Shah said the new laws will lead to the most modern criminal justice system in the country. He said laws will ensure speedy justice and victim’s rights. Earlier, only the rights of the police were protected, but now victims’ and complainants’ rights will also be protected, he said.
While the laws lay emphasis on technology in investigation, trial and court proceedings, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has made 23 functional modifications in the existing Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) application.
The key provisions of the new laws include reporting Incidents online, filing FIR at any police station as well as the victims getting a free copy of the FIR. Apart from this, in the event of an arrest, the individual has the right to inform a person of his choice about the situation. The new laws have also prioritised the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information.
In the new criminal laws, it has become mandatory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offences and collect evidence. Summons can now be served electronically, expediting legal processes, reducing paperwork, and ensuring efficient communication between all parties involved.
To implement the new laws, training of the police and investigating authorities have been done for a smooth transition into the system.
