The government has said that the three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, mark a significant step towards creating a citizen-centric, more accessible and efficient justice system.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar said, the main provisions made in the new laws focus on justice rather than punishment. He said, in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, stringent punishment up to death sentence has been provided for the offence of rape of a minor.

The minister said the offence of gang rape on a minor is punishable with imprisonment for life or death. He said, a person may now report incidents by electronic communication, without the need to physically visit a police station. Mr Kumar said, this allows for easier and quicker reporting, facilitating prompt action by the police. He said, with the introduction of Zero FIR, a person can file a First Information Report (FIR) at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. He said, this eliminates delays in initiating legal proceedings and ensures immediate reporting of the offence.