Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 11 tabled three bills with an aim to overhaul India’s colonial-era criminal laws, including repealing the controversial sedition law.
Government To Overhaul India’s Colonial-Era Criminal Laws
The new bills that will replace Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act and Indian Evidence Act are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Bill and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill respectively.
The bills introduce a number of changes, including a new offence on acts of secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities or endangering the sovereignty or unity and integrity of India.
“The three bills that I am moving today include the principle law for criminal justice system. One is Indian Penal Code which was formed in 1860, second is Criminal Procedure Code which was formed in 1898 and third is Indian Evidence Act, which was formed in 1872. The sedition law will be completely repealed,” Amit Shah said.
“From 1860 to 2023, the country’s criminal justice system functioned as per the laws made by the British. The three laws will be replaced and there will be a major change in the criminal justice system in the country,” the Union Home Minister added.