Lok Sabha passes 3 criminal code bills
The Lok Sabha passed the three criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill — on Wednesday.
The three bills were passed even as 97 Opposition MPs remain suspended from the Lower House amid protests over Parliament security breach.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will replace the CrPC of 1973 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill will replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Amit Shah said the Bills are based on three principles: “A person’s freedom, human rights and impartiality”. He added that the three new laws “reflect the spirit of the original Indian Code of Justice”.
The bills were tabled by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Speaking about the bills on Wednesday, Shah said that under the newly amended laws, “if one accepts their crime within 30 days of the crime, then the punishment would be less…”
The laws give priority to “crime against women/children, impact on human body and security of the country,” Amit Shah said. He said it is now compulsory to record the statement of victims and it will now be recorded online.
Under the amended laws, the deadline for filing an FIR has been fixed. “After submitting the investigation report to the District Magistrate, it will have to be presented before the court within 24 hours. There is a provision to send the medical report directly to the police station/court within seven days. Chargesheet can no longer be kept pending after 180 days,” Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha.