02/07/2024
IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act, British-era laws that formed the basis of the criminal justice system of the country for over 150 years, to be replaced by new criminal laws, bringing modern justice system with provisions like Zero FIRs and online complaints.
Police and central agencies will start registering cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaces the IPC, from Monday and follow procedures related to arrests, filing of charge sheets, collecting of evidence, recording of statements, etc according to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The BNSS and BSA replace the CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
The key provisions of the new criminal laws include Reporting Incidents Online, Filing FIR at Any Police Station as well as the victims getting a free copy of FIR. Apart from this, in the event of an arrest, the individual has the right to inform a person of his choice about their situation.
The new laws have also prioritized the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information. In the new criminal laws, it has become mandatory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offences and collect evidence. Summons can now be served electronically, expediting legal processes, reducing paperwork, and ensuring efficient communication between all parties involved.
