• Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 replacing IPC 1860
  • Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 replacing CrCP 1973
  • Bharitya Sakshaya Bill 2023 replacing Indian Evidence Act 1872

Need for reforms

  • address large pendency in courts
    • 4.7cr cases pending in courts (as per Union Law Minister)
  • timely justice delivery by simplifying legal procedures
  • increasing conviction rates
  • criminal justice system has been evolving across time in all regions of world
  • erasing colonial legacy

BNS 2023

  • IPC formed after Indian Law Commission set up under Charter Act 1833
  • focus
    • strengthen law and order
    • simplifying legal procedure
    • make laws relevant to contemporary situation

Major provisions

  • removes Sedition (Sec 124A IPC) and instead penalises separatist activities
  • Terrorism is added as offence
  • Organized crime added as offence

Potential Impact

  • Subjective interpretation
  • enhanced policing powers
  • delays in existing trials due to bombardment of interpretation related cases

BNSS 2023

Major provisions

  • first time offenders will be released on bail if completed 1/3 of max imprisonment
  • e-trial
  • medical examination of accussed
  • mandates forensic investigation
  • allows collecting signature and finger impression even if not arrested

Potential impact

  • timely delivery of justice
  • fairness in investigation
  • tech integration
  • inc detection period

BSB 2023

Major provisions

  • digital records as evidence
  • oral evidence can be given eletronically
  • joint trials

Potential impact

  • expansion in use of e-evidence
  • issues of privacy