The controversial new criminal laws that are replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act, will come into effect from 1st July 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 1st day of July, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Adhiniyam, shall come into force,” MHA’s notification stated.
The same is said in the notifications for Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 except that in the BNS, the provision of sub-section (2) of section 106 is put on hold.
Section 106 (2) of the BNS is related to the hit-and-run case against which truckers staged a huge protest in early January. The drivers suspended the protest after the Central Government assured consultations before implementing the law.
The Union Government has maintained that these three criminal laws will erase the symbols of colonialism from India. Union Home Minister has repeatedly said that these laws have human-centric approach.
However, the Opposition has also repeatedly claimed that these new laws are worse than the laws made by the British and accused Shah.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita received the President’s assent on 25th December 2024.
Read more: Congress demands wider consultations on Bills replacing criminal laws
Purpose of 3 new Bills not punishment but justice: Amit Shah
