– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bengaluru, June 12: A training program on the recent three amendments in criminal law was held at Al-Ameen College of Law, here Monday. The Union Government recently amended and rechristened three colonial laws namely Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These amendments will come into force on 1st July 2024. A notification to this effect is already issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) was enacted on December 25, 2023, repealing and replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) as the new penal code of the country. Under this law, sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous or simple: (a) Death; (b) Imprisonment for life; (c) Imprisonment, which is of two descriptions, namely: (1) Rigorous, that is, with hard labour; (2) Simple; (d) Forfeiture of property; (e) Fine; (f) Community Service.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) was introduced on August 11, 2023 to replace the CrPC. Literally meaning ‘Indian Civil Protection Code’, it is the main legislation on procedure for administration of substantive criminal law in India. It amends provisions on bail, expands the scope of property seizure, and alters powers of police and magistrates. It aims to simplify the criminal procedure, reduce trial duration, enhance investigatory powers of the police, implement timelines for procedure, etc.
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA) is an Act to consolidate and provide for general rules and principles of evidence. It aims to modernize and consolidate evidence law, including electronic and digital records as evidence.
Asst. Commissioner of Police KM Ramesh, renowned lawyer and guest lecturer of Al-Ameen Law College MK Maithri, and Advocate Shashidhar addressed the gathering. Zubair Anwar Sait, Honorary Secretary of Al-Ameen Educational Society and Asst. Prof. Saliha Begum were also present.
