New Criminal Laws BNS, BNSS, BSA To Be Implemented From July 1: All You Need to Know

Bhubaneswar: The newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will take effect from July 1, replacing the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act of 1872. The Ministry of Home Affairs held a meeting with state DGPs to ensure proper implementation.

Odisha DGP Arun Sarangi, who attended the virtual meeting, highlighted significant differences between the new and old laws, emphasizing speedy trials, justice, human rights protection, and enhanced technology in investigations. Existing cases will continue under the old laws.

Key features of the new laws include:

• Terrorism is now defined and punishable under Section 113 (1) of the BNS.
• Sedition has been replaced by Section 152, focusing on threats to national unity and integrity.
• A dedicated chapter on Crimes against Women and Children aligns rape provisions with the POCSO Act and imposes severe penalties for gang rape and deceitful sexual intercourse.
• Inchoate offences (attempt, abetment, and conspiracy) are newly included.
• Organised crime faces stringent penalties, including death or life imprisonment.
• Mob lynching and hate crimes are classified as distinct murder types, with severe punishments.
• Attempted suicide is decriminalized, while beggary is treated as exploitation.
• Handcuffs are restricted to select heinous crimes, excluding economic offences.
• Community service is a punishment for theft under Rs 5,000.
• Chargesheets must be filed within 90 days, with potential extensions, and investigations must conclude within 180 days. Judgements are to be delivered within 30 days, extendable to 60 days and uploaded online within a week.
• First-time offenders may receive bail after serving one-third of their sentence, with exceptions.
• Forensic investigations are mandatory for severe offences.
• Death sentences can only be commuted to life imprisonment, with life sentences pardonable within seven years.

These laws were approved by Parliament on December 21, 2023, and received presidential assent on December 25, 2023.