New Criminal Laws Set to Take Effect on 1st of Next Month

Tags: National News

Three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will come into effect from the 1st of next month.

An Overview of the News

• These laws were passed during the winter session of Parliament last year and aim to empower Indian citizens by creating a more accessible and efficient justice system.

• Key provisions include:

  • Reporting incidents online.

  • Allowing FIR filing at any police station and providing victims with a free copy of the FIR.

  • Allowing individuals the right to inform a chosen person upon arrest.

  • Prioritizing investigations of offences against women and children to be completed within two months.

• Forensic experts must visit crime scenes for serious offences to collect evidence.

• Summons can now be served electronically, reducing paperwork and facilitating efficient communication.

• The government has collaborated with States and Union Territories to ensure readiness through technology, capacity building, and awareness.

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has updated the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) application with 23 functional modifications to support the new laws.