Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 25 years in public service, a journey defined by the mantra of Jan Seva Se Desh Seva, and a relentless commitment that continues. Guided by this vision for Seva and Sushasan, the Government has been ceaselessly working towards achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Through inclusive development and social empowerment, this dedication is transforming lives. Today, in our special series, we bring you an instance of how this vision has been translated into ease of justice through the three new criminal laws. These laws are – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).
The new criminal laws which came into force from 1st of July 2024, mark a significant step towards empowering the citizens. These laws aim to create a more accessible, supportive, and efficient justice system for everyone. Under the new criminal laws, provisions such as introduction of zero FIR, fast track investigations, limited adjournments, forensic evidence collection and videography, gender neutral offences have been introduced. Addressing a gathering after the implementation of new criminal laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the core mantra of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita is Citizens First. He added that this law is the protector of citizens’ rights and is laying the foundation for ease of justice.
In a major legal reform, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, has introduced stringent provisions to tackle organized crime and enhance safety for women and children. For the first time, mob lynching is categorized as a distinct offence under Section 103 Sub-section 2. When a group of five or more people commits murder based on race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, or personal belief, every member faces life imprisonment or the death penalty along with a fine. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, Sunil Kumar, Advocate in Delhi High Court said that the new criminal laws introduced provisions for organised crimes, terrorism, mob lynching, and recognized digital evidences and promote electronic FIRs.
Provisions protecting women and children have been given primary precedence and brought under a dedicated chapter. Earlier different punishments were prescribed for gangrape on a girl below the age of 16 years and 12 years. This provision has been modified and now gangrape on a woman below the age of eighteen years is punishable with imprisonment of life or death.
