NEW DELHI, Sept 25 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at the International Lawyers’ Conference organized by the Bar Council of India, highlighted the people-centric nature of the three proposed criminal laws. He stated that these laws reflect India’s cultural essence and prioritize safeguarding citizens’ constitutional, human, and personal rights. Shah also emphasized that the primary objective of these bills is to provide justice rather than focusing solely on punishment.
Shah urged lawyers across the country to offer their suggestions for the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS-2023), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS-2023), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA-2023) to ensure the formulation of laws that benefit all segments of society.
The three bills, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11, are designed to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively. Shah pointed out that these bills aim to reshape India’s criminal justice system in response to contemporary needs and challenges.
He underlined three key initiatives accompanying these new laws: the establishment of e-courts, the introduction of an inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), and the infusion of new technology into the legal framework. Shah expressed confidence that these measures would significantly reduce delays in the criminal justice system within a decade.
Shah emphasized that the previous colonial-era laws primarily served to bolster British rule and were focused on punishment rather than justice. In contrast, the new laws aim to deliver justice by incorporating technology and expanding the recognition of electronic and digital records.
Furthermore, the proposed laws address issues such as mob lynching, abolish the section related to sedition, and introduce provisions for legalizing community service.
The Home Minister urged lawyers to scrutinize the bills in detail and provide valuable suggestions to the Union Home Secretary, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder consultations to perfect these laws. He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that comprehensive justice can only be achieved through extensive consultation and understanding of laws that impact every facet of society.
