Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Allows Using Draconian Police Powers For Political Ends: Sibal
Mumbai: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticized the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill brought by the Centre to replace Indian Penal Code. He said the proposed law allows using draconian police powers for political ends
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal further said that the government’s agenda behind bringing such laws is to “silence opponents”. Also Read: Having Intercourse Under False Marriage Promise To Be Crime Under Proposed Law: Amit Shah
“Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) (BNS)…Allows for using draconian police powers for political ends BNS…Allows for police custody from 15 up to 60 or 90 days…New offenses for prosecuting persons who threaten the security of state (redefined)…Agenda: To silence opponents,” Kapil Sibal said in a tweet. Also Read: Delhi Services Bill Becomes A Law After President Murmu’s Assent
“Wherever the BJP is in power, the political opponents will be attacked and the police force is by and large working under the directions of the political persons in power…In this context you give police or enforcement agencies custody for 60-90 days, then it is a recipe for disaster,” Sibal said.
He further said that the way sedition law changed and put into place, provisions relating to national security without defining under what circumstances a person can be prosecuted for national security.
“On one hand, they are giving more power to police and on the other hand silencing people…this is unacceptable…,” Sibal said.
Earlier on Friday, Amit Shah introduced The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakhshya Bill, 2023, aimed at giving justice and protecting the rights given to Indian citizens by Constitution.
The bills will abolish the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Code, (1898), 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 made by the British.
“The Indian Penal Code, 1860 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023,” Amit Shah said.
He said that laws from the British era were intended to reinforce and defend their power and that their goal was to punish rather than to provide justice.
According to the minister, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, which would replace the IPC, will contain 356 sections as opposed to the existing 511 sections, with 175 sections being changed, 8 new sections inserted, and 22 sections being abolished. The Evidence Act will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, which will now comprise 170 provisions as opposed to the previous 167. According to Shah, five parts were abolished, one new section was inserted, and 23 sections were altered.
Follow us on Twitter, Google News, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and exciting stories.
