"New criminal laws will be more effective in tackling current challenges": Bhopal Commissioner

The three new criminal laws -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), 2023 replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

"All the three new criminal laws have come into force from today and the preparations that were required for it have almost been completed. Preparations were needed at two levels, first at the level of human resources and secondly at the level of technological advancement. Technically, all CCTVs and Softwares have been updated. As human resources, training is being given continuously for the last several months and the police are fully prepared," Mishra told ANI.

He further said that the police were also engaged in making people aware about the new laws and for this, camps were being organised in schools and colleges at various places.

"The new laws especially will attack organised crime. It further strengthens the issues related to national unity and integrity. Certainly, it will prove to be very effective in curbing crime," he added.

Speaking about the number of sections reduced in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, CP Mishra said, "There are 358 sections in BNS as compared to 511 sections in the IPC. We will assess not just on the number of sections but by the effectiveness of the sections. In the previous IPC law, there were many sections which had sub-sections and many sections were not needed. In the new provisions, all those issues have been taken care of which are needed to be focused with more effectiveness."

"The new laws have definitely incorporated the changes of the present times, especially the social, economic conditions and the technological challenges. Therefore, it will be more effective in fighting the current challenges," Bhopal Commissioner added.

The three new criminal laws were passed by the Indian Parliament on December 21, 2023, which received Presidential assent on December 25, 2023 and were published in the official gazette on the same day.

The Ministry of Home Affairs notified in February that the three laws shall come into force on July 1, 2024.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill.

Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed from the bill.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions), and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted from the bill. (ANI)