What Are The Key Highlights Of The 3 Criminal Law Bills Passed By Lok Sabha?
Mumbai: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three new criminal law Bills, which made mob lynching a separate offence with death penalty as the maximum punishment. The offence of sedition has been omitted but acts against the nation will be punishable. Terrorism has been defined and included as a separate offence. Community service has been introduced as a form of punishment.
After becoming laws, they would take the place of the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, the Indian Penal Code of 1860, and the Code of Criminal Procedure Act of 1898, in that order.
Without the bulk of opposition MPs present in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah deliberated over the minutes of the three legislation. Due to their “unruly behaviour,” 143 opposition MPs are currently suspended from both Houses.
The Union Home Minister noted that justice, as opposed to punishment, is the main thrust of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which will replace the Indian Penal Code.
“In CrPC there were 484 sections, now there will be 531 sections. Changes have been made in 177 sections and 9 new sections have been added, 39 new sub-sections have been added, and 44 new provisions have been added,” Shah told Lok Sabha.
Sedition provisions repealed
Shah stated that although the sedition laws have been removed (in new criminal statutes), there would still be consequences for acts against the country. He declared, “Anyone who works against the country must not be spared and must face the harshest punishment.”
“The penalties for stealing from the public coffers, tearing down railway tracks and disparaging the British monarchy were previously maintained under the statute that will be abolished. Priority is now being given to crimes against women and children, their effects on human health, and the nation’s security. Further, he mentioned money, election, and military legislation.
According to the Home Minister, the preliminary investigation must be completed within 14 days and a formal complaint must be lodged within three days of receipt.
“Enquiry report will have to be submitted to a magistrate within 24 hours, the filing of charge sheet cannot be delayed for more than 180 days and even if the investigation is still pending, special permission will have to be taken from the court.
“The judges will not be able to reserve judgement for more than 45 days..the visit of an FSL team will be mandatory in cases of offence where punishment is more than seven years,” he said.
“…justice is not delivered timely….tarikh pe tarikh milti hain (prolonged trial), police blame courts and government, courts blame police, the government holds the police and judiciary responsible…everyone keeps shifting the blame on each other,” he said.
Capital punishment for mob lynching
Shah clarified that the draft law contains a clause that states that anyone found guilty of mob lynching might face the death penalty.
“We are enacting a new legislation that includes a death penalty provision for the despicable crime of mob lynching. However, because Congress has also been in power for a long time, I would like to know why you did not pass legislation outlawing mob lynchings. Shah stated in the Lok Sabha, “You used the word mob lynching just to abuse us, but when you were in power, you forgot to make laws.”
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