Home Minister Amit Shah Introduces Bills to Transform India’s Legal Landscape

New Delhi, August 11, 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced a trio of bills in the Lok Sabha on Friday, aiming to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act – all remnants of the British colonial era. In his address, Shah emphasized the comprehensive transformation these bills would bring to India’s criminal justice system.

Among the significant changes proposed, Shah highlighted the complete repeal of sedition offences in the new bill meant to replace the IPC. He assured the House that these bills would not only revamp the criminal justice framework but also prioritize the protection of citizens’ rights.

The three bills, named the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, are set to undergo thorough examination by a parliamentary panel.

Shah underlined the historical context of the laws slated for replacement, noting that their origins lay in safeguarding British administration interests rather than ensuring justice. He stressed that the new laws would mark a significant shift towards prioritizing justice over mere punishment.

The Home Minister articulated the goal of raising the conviction ratio above 90 percent through these bills. He explained a key provision mandating forensic teams’ visits to crime scenes for cases involving prison terms of seven years or more.

Shah conveyed that the intent behind these bills was to transition from a punitive approach to one that fosters deterrence against criminal activities while still delivering justice. The emphasis, he stated, would be on administering punishment to discourage crime, thus harmonizing the balance between justice and penalty.