3 newly enacted criminal laws to come into effect from July 1; Odisha DGP shares details

In a landmark move, the three newly enacted laws– the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)– will come into effect across the country from July 1. In a bid to reform the criminal justice system, the three laws will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, which existed from 1860.

The Ministry of Home held a meeting with DGPs of all the states in this regard and directed to ensure proper implementation of the three new laws. 

Odisha DGP Arun Sarangi, who attended the virtual meeting, informed the media about the meeting and said that steps would be taken to implement the new laws in the state with immediate effect from July 1.

Speaking to the media, the DGP said, “In December 2023, three major criminal laws, IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act were replaced by BNS, BNSS and BSA. The government had notified about it in February that the laws would be implemented from July 1, 2024.”

“With this, it's the end of the 150-year-old colonial laws. There is a lot of difference between the new and old laws. Earlier, crime was important, but now justice will be given more importance. Steps will be taken to use more technology in investigation processes,” he added.

“Due to the election, we could not spread awareness among the people. But, steps will be taken to spread the word among every common man,” DGP Sarangi stated.