Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
GUWAHATI: The Assam Police has detailed the sweeping changes in the criminal justice system in India that will come into effect from July 1. These reforms include the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in place of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replacing the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replacing the Evidence Act. The Indian (IEA).
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Key highlights include:
•Severe penalties for gang rape: The death penalty now applies to all gang rape cases involving minor girls, and extends beyond the previous limit to victims under 12 (Article 70 BNS).
•Fast action in POCSO cases: A maximum timeline of two months for filing charge sheets in POCSO cases ensures speedy justice (Article 193 BNSS).
•New offense categories: Having sex under false pretenses now carries up to 10 years in prison (Article 69 BNS).
•Introduction Zero FIR and E-FIR: Women can report crimes without judicial restrictions, which facilitates easier access to justice (Article 173 BNSS).
•Marital rape instructions: The age of consent in marriage is raised to 18, making marital rape of minors a punishable offense (Article 63 BNS).
•Rights and protection of the victim: It is desirable for a female judge to record the statements of rape victims, and the victims have the right to cross-examine the accused (Article 183 BNSS).
•New offenses against children: Hiring a child to commit a crime now carries a sentence of up to 10 years (section 95 BNS).
•Gender neutral laws: Buying children for sexual purposes is now punishable regardless of the gender of the child (Section 96 BNS).
•Improved rights for victims: Victims can now receive copies of FIRs, receive information on the progress of the investigation, and have a say in withdrawal decisions (Articles 173, 360, 193 BNSS).
•Community service as punishment: Community service is presented as a new form of punishment, aimed at renewing social socialization (section 4 BNS).
•Restrictions on police summons: People over the age of 60 or those suffering from acute illnesses cannot be called to the police station for the purpose of recording statements (Articles 179, 195 BNSS).
•Arrest protocols: Arrests of the sick or elderly for offenses punishable by less than three years require DySP or higher approval (section 35 BNSS).
•Legal involvement is mandatory: In serious crimes, forensic experts must visit crime scenes and collect evidence, instead of relying on third-degree methods (Article 176 BNSS).
•Improving national legal infrastructure: The government has approved a $2,254.43 million program to strengthen forensic capabilities across India.
•Digital evidence and electronic processes: The use of audio-video electronic means for recording statements and conducting trials will streamline the justice processes (Article 2(1)(a) BNSS).
•New digital tools: The National Informatics Center (NIC) is developing apps like e-Sakshya for crime scene documentation and e-Summon for issuing summons.
•Tests on arbitrary police force: All search procedures must be electronically documented, and the reasons for warrantless searches must be reported to judges within 48 hours (Articles 105, 185 BNSS).
•Prevention of false FIRs: Vigorous checks ensure that FIRs are not registered arbitrarily, which protects citizens from harassment (Article 175 BNSS).
•Limitation on deferrals: Only two adjournments are allowed per case, with strict timetables for various judicial proceedings to expedite justice (Articles 173, 193, 232 BNSS).
•organized and petty organized crime: Stricter definitions and penalties were introduced for organized crime syndicates and small organized crimes (Articles 111, 112 BNS).
•Acts of terrorism and kidnapping: New categories for terrorist acts and mobile hijackings reflect the contemporary challenges in law enforcement (Articles 113, 304 BNS).
•Mischief against animals: Severe penalties apply to killing or mutilating animals, reflecting growing social concern for animal welfare (Article 325 BNS).
•lynch mob: New provisions refer to mob lynching, with stricter penalties for attacks on racial or communal grounds (Article 103 BNS).
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(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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