NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the three new criminal law bills will bring comprehensive changes in the criminal justice system in India and free the citizens from the colonial-era mindset.
Shah was replying to the debate on the three redrafted bills that were introduced in the Lok Sabha last week.
Shah said that the proposed laws will free people from the colonial mindset and its symbols.
“Under the leadership of Modi ji, I have brought bills that lay emphasis on Indianness, the Indian Constitution and the well-being of the people. The laws are being changed in the spirit of Constitution,” he said.
He said that the old laws were meant only to protect the British interests and their focus was to punish and not deliver justice.
But the new laws will be future-proof with a focus on justice delivery and not just punishment, Shah added.
Speaking about the changes proposed by the government, Shah said the there will now be 531 sections in CrPC from 484 earlier.
“Changes have been made in 177 sections and 9 new sections have been added. 39 new sub-sections have been added. 44 new provisions have been added,” he said.
Speaking about one of the most important changes, Shah said that sedition has been removed under the new laws and replaced with a legislation that will punish anyone who talks against the country.
He, however, clarified that if someone opposes the Centre and its policies, the individual wouldn’t be punished as it’s their “freedom of speech”.
He also said that “mob-lynching” has been included as an offence in the bills.
Shah said under the proposed laws, anyone involved in terror activities or working against the country will be given the strictest punishment possible, adding that those harming the nation “won’t be spared”.
During his speech, Shah said the bills will encourage the use of technology in giving justice to people.
Shah had introduced the three redrafted bills — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill (BSB) — last week and the Lok Sabha on Tuesday took them up for a debate for their consideration and passage.
The proposed legislations seek to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively.
During the monsoon session, the home minister had withdrawn the three bills since they were referred to the Standing Committee which gave its recommendations.
Instead of announcing the official amendments, it was decided to bring the bills again in the lower house.
During the debate in the lower house, Shah said that he has gone through the laws extensively and has held 158 meetings so far.
“I have not only read every line of proposed criminal laws but have gone through every comma, full stop,” Shah told the Lok Sabha.
(With inputs from agencies)