Cheating now under Sec 318, murder punishment Sec 103

Srinagar, July 2: India introduced three new criminal laws that came into effect on Monday (July 1), aiming to modernise and Indianise the legal system by removing colonial influences.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaces the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaces the Indian Evidence Act.

KEY CHANGES IN CRIMINAL LAW

The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita comprises 358 sections, a significant reduction from the IPC's 511 sections.

This change has led to the renumbering of many long-standing criminal charges.

Some of the major changes include:

Punishment for Murder: Previously Section 302 in the IPC, this offence is now under Section 103 of the BNS.

Attempt to Murder: Previously Section 307 in the IPC, now covered under Section 109 of the BNS.

Rape: Previously Section 375 in the IPC, now under Section 63 of the BNS.

Gang Rape: Previously Section 376D in the IPC, now under Section 70(1) of the BNS.

Cruelty against a Married Woman: Previously Section 498A in the IPC, now under Section 85 of the BNS.

Dowry Death: Previously Section 304B in the IPC, now under Section 80 of the BNS.

Sexual Harassment: Previously Section 354A in the IPC, now under Section 75 of the BNS.

Outraging the Modesty of a Woman: Previously Section 354 in the IPC, now under Section 74 of the BNS.

Criminal Intimidation: Previously Section 503 in the IPC, now under Section 351 of the BNS.

Defamation: Previously Section 499 in the IPC, now under Section 356 of the BNS.

Cheating: Previously Section 420 in the IPC, now under Section 318 of the BNS.

Criminal Conspiracy: Previously Section 120A in the IPC, now under Section 61 of the BNS.

Sedition: Previously Section 124A in the IPC, now under Section 152 of the BNS.

Promoting Enmity Between Different Groups: Previously Section 153A in the IPC, now under Section 196 of the BNS.

Imputations, Assertions Prejudicial to National Integration: Previously Section 153B in the IPC, now under Section 197 of the BNS.

Statements Conducing to Public Mischief: Previously Section 505 in the IPC, now under Section 353 of the BNS.

Public Nuisance: Previously Section 268 in the IPC, now under Section 270 of the BNS.

PURPOSE AND IMPLICATIONS

These changes are part of a broader effort to streamline the criminal justice system and reduce delays, with an emphasis on protecting constitutional and human rights.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that the new laws were designed to resonate with the essence of Indian soil, eliminating colonial influences and focusing on dispensing justice rather than punishment.

The restructuring aims to address systemic delays and inefficiencies, ensuring a more robust and timely legal process.

Critics and legal experts will closely monitor the implementation and impact of these new laws on the legal landscape of the country.