The three New Criminal Laws- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will come into force from 1st of next month.  

These Bills were passed by the Parliament during the winter session last year. The new criminal laws mark a significant step towards empowering Indian citizens. These laws aim to create a more accessible, supportive, and efficient justice system for everyone. The key provisions of the new criminal laws include Reporting Incidents Online, Filing FIR at Any Police Station as well as the victims getting free copy of FIR. Apart from this, in the event of an arrest, the individual has the right to inform a person of his choice about their situation. The new laws have also prioritized the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information.

In the new criminal laws, it has become mandatory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offenses and collect evidence. Summons can now be served electronically, expediting legal processes, reducing paperwork, and ensuring efficient communication between all parties involved. As per sources, the government held regular meetings with States and UTs and they are fully geared up in terms of technology, capacity building and awareness generation to implement the new Criminal Laws from 1st of July. Sources added, as the new Criminal Laws laid emphasis on technology in investigation, trial and court proceedings, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has made 23 functional modifications in the existing Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems(CCTNS) application. It is also providing technical assistance to the States and UTs for seamless transition to the new system.