In what could reshape the legal system, three new criminal laws came into effect across the country on Monday. The three new criminal laws- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam- replaced the British-era criminal laws.
In Odisha, the Laxmisagar Police station in Bhubaneswar registered an attempt to murder case under the new laws. This first case was registered based on the complaint filed by a youth regarding a murderous attack on his father Gauranga Charan Das of Chintamaniswar temple area in the Capital city. The incident took place on June 29 in which three miscreants on two bikes had allegedly silted the neck of Das with a sharp razor.
A case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections- 126 (2), 115 (2), 109 (2), and 3 (5).
Union Home Minister On New Criminal Laws
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that now instead of Indian Penal Code (IPC), there will be Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Similarly, instead of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), there will be Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and there will be Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) instead of Indian Evidence Act.
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Changes in The New Criminal Laws
The Union Minister further said that the first priority has been given to (the chapters on) crimes against women and children. An entire chapter with 35 sections and 13 provisions has been added. Now, gangrape will attract 20-year imprisonment or life imprisonment, rape of a minor will attract death penalty, a separate crime has been defined for sexual exploitation by hiding one's identity or making false promises.
A provision has been made to record statement of the victim at her home in the presence of women officers and her own family. Besides this, the facility of online FIR has also been provided, said Shah.