New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday introduced the Bharatiya Sanhita Suraksha Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha to replace three “19th Century Laws”, namely the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act.
The 1860 Indian Penal Code will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will replace the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Bharatiya Sakshya will replace Indian Evidence Act. All three have been referred to a Standing Committee for review.
A new offence on acts of secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities or endangering the sovereignty or unity and integrity of India has been added to the revised laws.
The sedition law “has been repealed”, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The word “sedition” is not in the proposed law. It is replaced by Section 150 for acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.The Centre will also introduce the provision of capital punishment in mob lynching cases.
- The new bill prioritises laws for crimes against women and children, murders and “offences against the state”.
- For the first time, community service will be one of the punishments for petty offences.
- Offences have been made gender-neutral.
- To deal effectively with the problem of organised crimes and terrorist activities, new offences of terrorist acts and organised crime have been added with deterrent punishments.
- The fines and punishment for various offences have also been enhanced.
- The death sentence has been retained in the new bills
“The aim will not be to punish, it will be to provide justice. Punishment will be given to create a sentiment of stopping crime,” Amit Shah said.
