Historic Revamp of India’s Legal Framework: Amit Shah Introduces Landmark Legislative Bills

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three significant legislative bills in the Rajya Sabha, marking a departure from 150 years of colonial-era legal frameworks. These new legal bills will entail substantial changes in various sections, with far-reaching implications for crimes such as murder, gang rape, and snatching.

Key Changes under the New Legislative Bills

1. Indian Penal Code (IPC) Bill, 2023:

– Section 302 (Murder) will be replaced by Section 101.
– Section 316 (Cheating) will be replaced by Section 420.
– Section 362 (Kidnapping) will be replaced by Section 135.
– Section 375 (Rape) will be replaced by Section 63.
– Section 376 (Gang Rape) will be replaced by Section 70.

2. Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Bill, 2023:

– The Indian Civil Protection Code 2023 will have a total of 533 sections, as opposed to 478 sections in the previous CrPC.
– 160 sections have been amended, 9 sections have been removed, and 9 new sections have been added.

3. Evidence Act Bill, 2023:

– The Code of Justice will now have 356 sections, down from 511 sections in the earlier IPC.
– 22 sections have been repealed, while 8 new sections have been added.
– Section 170 now contains 3 sections, with 23 sections being amended and 5 sections completely removed.

Implications of the New Laws

– Chain snatching and other snatching crimes will now be subject to Section 302, previously reserved for murder.
– Section 799 will replace Section 304B for causing death by negligence.
– Section 187 will replace Section 144, previously imposed on crowding and rioting.
– Sedition will be replaced by Section 150, while Section 146 will replace Section 121A (anti-national activity).
– Section 145 will be imposed instead of Section 121 for those conspiring against the country.
– Section 106 will replace Section 306 for instigating someone to commit suicide.
– Section 377 will be removed, and Section 69 will be added, penalizing those engaging in sex with a false promise of marriage.

These new legislative bills represent a significant overhaul of India’s legal framework, aiming to address the limitations and inefficiencies of the existing laws. The changes seek to streamline and modernize the penal code, ensuring swift and effective justice while aligning with contemporary social and legal complexities.