Three New Criminal Laws Replacing IPC, CrPC, Indian Evidence Act To Come Into Force From July 1

The three laws got the Parliament's nod on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25.

The three laws got the Parliament's nod on December 21 last year.

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New Delhi: The three new criminal laws, sanctioned by the Parliament, are set to come into effect from July 1, the government said on Saturday. The government said Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, set to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), will come into force from July this year.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 to come into effect from 1st July, 2024. pic.twitter.com/Kw0F3I7A4D

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2024

The three laws got the Parliament's nod on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25.

These three legislations strive to overhaul the criminal justice framework by providing precise definitions of numerous offenses along with their corresponding punishments.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 1st day of July, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Sanhita, except the provision of sub-section (2) of section 106, shall come into force," the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs read.

Within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 20 fresh offences have been incorporated, while 19 provisions from the IPC have been removed. Notably, the imprisonment sentences for 33 offences have been extended. Moreover, fines have been enhanced in 83 provisions, and mandatory minimum penalties have been introduced for 23 offences. Additionally, 'community service' has been established as a form of punishment for six offences.

Hailing the passage of the three criminal laws last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it a “watershed moment” in the history.

Taking to X, he wrote, “The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare.”