In the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, the government announced a revamp of British-era criminal laws, which seems to be giving a visible priority to offences against women and children.

On Aug 11, the union home minister Amit Shah presented three bills that are aimed at replacing the India Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the Criminal Code for Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Newly introduced bills

While addressing the parliamentary standing committee in Lok Sabha, the minister said that these bills were framed after taking suggestions from 18 states, six union territories, the Supreme Court of India, 22 high courts, judicial institutions, 142 members of the parliament, 270 members of the legislative assembly, law universities, and the public.

First chapter in the bill about women and children, said Shah

In the British-made IPC and CrPC, priority was given to matters of sedition over women's safety. The new bill prioritises laws for crimes against women and children, murders, and ‘offences against the state’.

The minister said, “The first chapter in the bill will be about crimes against women and children, and the second chapter will be on homicide and other criminal offences against humans.”

Sedition law repealed; provisions included in Sec 150

The sedition law has been repealed by the centre. However, Section 150 will apply to acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. 

The Section includes new provisions on secession or armed rebellion, subversive activities, and separatist activities.

Provision of the death penalty has also been made in cases of crimes involving girls under 18 years of age. Capital punishment for mob lynching has been included in the revamped criminal law.

More about the new bills

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, which will replace the Indian Penal Code, will have 356 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections; 175 sections have been changed; 8 new sections have been added; and 22 sections have been repealed.

The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, which will replace CrPC, now has 533 sections; 160 sections of the old law have been changed; 9 new sections have been added; and 9 sections have been repealed.

Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, which will replace the Evidence Act, will now have 170 sections instead of the earlier 167; 23 sections have been changed, 1 new section has been added, and 5 have been repealed.

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