Three redrafted criminal law bills were passed in Lok Sabha

These bills replace IPC 1860, CRPC 1973 and Indian Evidence Act 1872

Amit Shah said these bills are in consonance with the spirit of constitution

The three redrafted criminal law bills were passed in Lok Sabha amid massive suspension of 97 MPs.

The three criminal law bills are The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita 2023 and The Bharatiya Sakshhya (Second) Bill 2023, which seek to repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act 1872.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted that these bills were drafted after in-depth consultations. He also emphasized that he had gone through every comma and full stop before bringing these bills to parliament. He lamented that the existing  criminal laws were reflective of the colonial mindset with the sole motive to punish and not render justice.

Highlights of the bills:

1. Death penalty for mob lynching

2. New definition of terrorism that differs from UAPA’s definition

3. Mental illness replaced by unsoundness of mind

4. Police custody extended beyond the initial 15 days of arrest

5. Admissibility of electronic evidence

Amit Shah also stressed that the bills are in consonance with the spirit of constitution and further reiterated that the criminal bills are based on a justice system based on Indian thinking.

Interestingly sedition has been scrapped and a new section under the title ‘offences against the state’ has been introduced. Initially, these bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session of the parliament, but were withdrawn. They were reintroduced in the Lok Sabha last week.