CM announces enforcement of three new criminal laws
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 01 2024: Even as three new criminal laws take effect today replacing British-era laws, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed confidence that the new laws will be of "great help" to the people and deliver justice timely.

The three new criminal laws-the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 will be replacing British-era Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively, N Biren said at a formal function held at the Palace Auditorium, Manipur State Film Development Society, Imphal.

CM announces enforcement of three new criminal laws

Notably, the three laws were announced recently by the Centre and they come into effect on Monday (July 1).Starting Monday, all FIRs will be registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .

However, all cases registered before July 1 will continue to be tried under IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act until final disposal.

At the event at MSFDS, N Biren said the laws have new and improved provisions that will be of "great help" to the people and deliver justice timely.

Under the new laws, a person is allowed to file a Zero FIR at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction.

FIRs can be filed in one's own dialect, and it permits online registration of police complaints and electronic serving of summons, he said.

Further, Courts can grant a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays in case hearings, and ensure timely delivery of justice, added the Chief Minister.

Notably, under the new laws, judgments are now required within 45 days of completion of trial and charges framed within 60 days of first hearing.

While the laws are abreast of the times and will be very effective, efficient implementation however is very crucial, he said.

If the implementing agencies including the police and lawyers are not sincere, then the laws will not serve the purpose of delivering justice to the people, he said.

N Biren said the Central Government's introduction of these laws stem from the observation that the existing laws were inadequate to address the technological advancements and societal shifts that have occurred over the past few decades.

The new laws will overhaul the Indian criminal justice system and deliver justice through a victim centric approach, increasing focus on National security and introducing digital/elec-tronic evidence reviews, he added.

N Biren further stated that the new laws have provisions to deal with mob lynching.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, murder or grievous hurt by five or more people will be an offence on different grounds.

These grounds include race, caste, sex, language, or personal belief.

The punishment for such murder is life imprisonment or death.

Highlighting certain key features of the three new laws, N Biren said under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, in the corporate context, the penal sections of law mostly relate to cases of cheating, criminal misappropriation, breach of trust, forgery and use of forged documents.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) defines additional types of electronic evidence, empowers Courts and police officers to issue summons in cases where digital evidence is involved.

It also empowers Courts to ask for electronic filings in cases where documents are voluminous.

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) has expanded the definition of 'document' to include electronic and digital records.

These laws have been presented with a vision to tackle the challenges within India's criminal justice system, with support of advanced investigation methodologies and technology, said the Chief Minister.

Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, who was present in the event, said the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has provisions for community service.

The earlier laws focus mostly on the punishment of the guilty rather than rehabilitation of the convicts.

The new laws, on the other hand, have provisions for rehabilitation of the convicts, he said.

Power Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, CAF&PD Minister L Susindro Meitei, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, top officials of the Govt and law students attended the event.