India's Justice System Gets Overhaul with 3 New Laws

New Delhi- Three new criminal laws are going into effect on July 1, 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will come into force on July 1, 2024. The government of India has held regular meetings with States and Union Territories to discuss and prepare for the implementation of the new criminal laws.

The new criminal laws are aimed at creating a more accessible, supportive, and efficient justice system for all citizens. The key provisions of the new laws include reporting incidents online, filing FIR at any police station, and victims getting a free copy of FIR. The new laws also prioritize the investigation of offenses against women and children, ensuring that such offenses are completed within two months of recording information.

In the new criminal laws, it has become mandatory for forensic experts to visit crime scenes for serious offenses and collect evidence. For the first time, summonses can also be served electronically, which will help in speeding up the legal process and reduce paperwork. These changes are expected to make the overall functioning of the criminal justice system more efficient and faster.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new criminal laws, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has made 23 functional modifications in the existing Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) application. The NCRB is also offering technical assistance to the States and Union Territories so that they can easily adopt the new system.

Various activities are being organized by universities and higher education institutes across the country to mark the beginning of the new criminal laws. These activities will include group discussions, workshops, question-and-answer sessions, and quizzes on various provisions of the new criminal laws. The government hopes that these activities will help in creating awareness about the new laws and expedite their implementation.