New Delhi, Dec 20 – The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up three criminal law bills for consideration and passing, intending to transform the criminal justice system.
The bills are Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, which seek to repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act 1872.
The bills were introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Monsoon Session and then referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The initial bills were withdrawn and were re-introduced during this session, incorporating certain suggestions made by the Committee. Home Minister Amit Shah said that most of the changes from the first versions are grammatical.
Initiating the discussion, Talari Rangaiah of YSRCP termed the bill as progressive and cohesive. He said the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 represents a significant shift from IPC 1860 to create a more unified, equitable and responsible legal framework that aligns current concern and growing societal standards.
Participating in the discussion, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was focused on punishment, while the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita focuses on justice.
Lok Sabha also passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Bill was passed by voice vote after a brief discussion in which three members participated.
The bill seeks to protect certain forms of unauthorised developments in Delhi from punitive action where adequate measures are yet to be taken. It also extends the protection given to unauthorised buildings till 2026.
