New Criminal Laws

The Parliament of India has initiated a transformative step in the criminal justice system by replacing three historical laws: the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, respectively. These new laws, grounded in Indian values of justice (nyaya), signify a shift from a punitive to a justice-oriented approach, reflecting Bhartiya Nyaya Paddhati. 

The overarching goal is to create a criminal justice system that not only protects citizens’ rights but also upholds the Rule of Law, ensuring accessible and speedy justice for all. This reform represents a significant stride towards an equitable, modern, and just legal framework in India.

The New Criminal Laws have come into effect from July 1, 2024. In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these three new laws will prove to be milestones in the journey of ‘punishment to justice’ in independent India. The purpose of the re-enactment is to revamp the Indian criminal justice system by replacing colonial era laws. The re-enacted laws are victim-centric and more suitable for the new technological era. They are also better suited for the present requirements of society and national security