Police, Courts and Justice in India
India's New Criminal Laws of 2024
How three new laws replaced the colonial-era IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in July 2024, what changed, and the transition costs.
On 1 July 2024, three new laws replaced colonial-era criminal codes.
The new laws
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Key changes
- Timelines for investigations and judgments.
- Forensic investigation mandatory for serious crimes.
- Electronic evidence and video recording.
- E-FIRs and zero FIRs.
- Community service as a punishment for minor offences.
- New offences like organised crime and terrorism in the main code.
- Sedition was removed, though a related offence on acts endangering sovereignty was added.
Transition costs
- Training lakhs of police, lawyers and judges.
- Updating software and forms.
- Two systems running in parallel for older cases.
Debates
- Supporters: modernised, decolonised laws.
- Critics: some provisions expand police powers, like longer police custody periods.
The new section numbers
A lawyer who memorised IPC section numbers for decades must now learn the BNS numbering, while older cases continue under the old code.
Thinking the new laws only renamed old ones
They include new timelines, forensic rules and offences.
Key takeaways
- Three new criminal laws took effect on 1 July 2024.
- They replaced the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act.
- Changes include timelines, forensics and electronic evidence.
- Transition requires large training and systems costs.
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