The 3 new criminal laws enacted last year are set to come into effect from July 1.
Parliament had passed the three laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 — in its winter session last year. The laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
These laws envisage greater use of technology in the criminal justice system for which the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed three apps — eSakshya, NyayShruti and eSummon — which will facilitate videography and photography of crime scenes, judicial hearings and delivery of court summons electronically.
Some of the highlights of the laws include a provision of ‘zero’ first information report (FIR), registration of police complaints online, summons through electronic modes and mandatory videography of the crime scenes in case of heinous crimes.
The accused and victims are entitled to receive copies of FIRs, police reports, chargesheets, statements, confessions and other documents within 14 days.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is providing technical assistance to the states and Union territories for a seamless transition to the new system.