'Beginning of a new era': PM Modi hails passage of new criminal justice bills

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the passage of three criminal justice bills that will replace as many colonial-era acts as a watershed moment in India's history and said it marked the beginning of a new era with laws centred on public service and welfare.

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three revised criminal law bills that will replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act.

"Through them, we have also bid goodbye to the outdated sections on sedition," he said on X after Parliament gave its nod to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These bills will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898 and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.

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"These bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centred on public service and welfare," the prime minister said.

He added, "These transformative Bills are a testament to India's commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections of our society.

"These bills, the prime minister said, come down heavily on organised crime, terrorism and such offences which strike at the root of the country's peaceful journey to progress.

"In our Amrit Kaal, these legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy-driven," he said, highlighting speeches by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament which, he added, elaborate on the key features of these bills.

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three revised criminal law bills that will replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act.

The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill 2023 seek to replace the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act respectively.

The amended bills to replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, of 1872 were introduced in Lok Sabha by the Home Minister last week.

With inputs from PTI.