Parliamentary panel begins examining bills seeking to replace archaic criminal laws

A parliamentary panel on Thursday began examining the three bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Evidence Act, with Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla making a detailed presentation on various aspects of the proposed legislation.

Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the three bills – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill – in Lok Sabha during Parliament’s Monsoon session, and the House had referred them to the standing committee.

Also Read: ‘Aim to provide justice, not punish’: Amit Shah introduces 3 bills to overhaul archaic criminal laws

While introducing the bills, Shah said these would transform India’s criminal justice system and added the changes were done to provide speedy justice and create a legal system that caters to the contemporary needs and aspirations of the people.

Sources said DMK member Dayanidhi Maran voiced his disapproval of the Hindi names given to the bill during the meeting and suggested that the committee should hold consultations with members of the bar in different states, noting that criminal trials are held in district-level courts, PTI reported.

The committee should be visiting states to hear the views of stakeholders, he said, drawing support from other opposition members like Derek O’Brien of the TMC, sources said.

Also Read: ‘Serious implications on fundamental rights’: Congress calls for wider consultations on 3 Bills to replace India’s criminal laws

Bhalla’s presentation will continue for two more days on Friday and Saturday. Members are likely to get two days next month to seek clarification from the home secretary.

The three bills seek an overhaul of the existing laws, described as a colonial legacy by Home Minister Shah, by replacing them with new Acts catering to the contemporary needs and aspirations of the people.

Also Read: Sedition law to be fully repealed in IPC overhaul: Amit Shah in Parliament

The standing committee has to submit its report in three months, in time for the government to table the updated bills in the next session of Parliament.

BJP member Brij Lal is the chairman of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

Parliamentary panel begins examining bills seeking to replace archaic criminal laws

A parliamentary panel on Thursday began examining the three bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Evidence Act.