Watershed moment in history, says PM Modi as BJP leaders hail the passing of criminal justice Bills

‘Transformative Bills’

“Through them, we have also bid goodbye to the outdated sections on sedition,” he said on X after Parliament gave its nod to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.

“These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centred on public service and welfare,” the Prime Minister said.

He added, “These transformative Bills are a testament to India’s commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections of our society.”

These Bills, the Prime Minister said, come down heavily on organised crime, terrorism and such offences which strike at the root of the country’s peaceful journey to progress.

The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2023

‘New era in criminal justice’

“In our Amrit Kaal, these legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy-driven,” he said, highlighting speeches by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament which, he added, elaborate on the key features of these Bills.

The Bills would usher in a new era in the criminal justice system, Home Minister Amit Shah said while replying to a debate in the Upper House of Parliament.

These Bills repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898 and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

Replying to the debate, Shah said once the new criminal laws were implemented, the entire process — from FIR to judgment — would go online.

Their implementation would ensure the end of the “tareekh pe tareekh” era and justice will be delivered in three years, he said.

Elaborating on the new provisions, Shah said terrorism has been defined and mob lynching made punishable with capital punishment.

Also, stringent punishment has been prescribed for those who work against the country, he said.

Related: ‘Opportunity to replace, redraft colonial criminal laws wasted’

‘No rajdroh but deshdroh’

Hailing the passing of the Bills, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman said, “We removed the 19th-century laws, made and approved by the colonial masters. The focus now is on Justice & not just punishment, women and children. Freedom of speech ensured. No Rajdroh but deshdroh. A milestone.”

Rajya Sabha today passed the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Lok Sabha had already cleared these bills. We removed the 19th century laws, made and approved by the colonial masters. Focus now is on…

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 21, 2023

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is continuously working towards making new laws by abolishing the obsolete laws.”

He added, “The effective and logical manner in which Home Minister Amit Shah has responded in the House to the discussion on these three bills cannot be appreciated enough. For this, I heartily congratulate him and congratulate the Prime Minister for starting to make new laws for the new India.”

आज लोकसभा में अपराधिक न्याय प्रणाली से जुड़े तीन नये विधेयकों को पारित कर दिया गया है। प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi के नेतृत्व में सरकार पुराने पड़ चुके क़ानूनों को समाप्त करके, नये क़ानून बनाने की दिशा में लगातार काम कर रही है।

इन तीनों विधेयकों पर हुई चर्चा का गृहमंत्री…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 20, 2023

Also read: LS passes revised criminal reform Bills as 97 Oppn MPs suspended

(With PTI inputs)