Starting from July 1st, three new criminal laws will be implemented across the country: the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Civil Defense Code, and the Indian Evidence Act. On December 25, 2023, the President approved these three bills. It is important to understand what changes will come after these new laws are implemented. The decades-old Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act will now become history. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the bill for these changes in the Lok Sabha in August 2023.
The new laws coming into effect on July 1st include the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Civil Defense Code, and the Indian Evidence Act. These laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the old Indian Evidence Act, respectively. These bills were proposed in the Lok Sabha on December 12, 2023, and were approved by the President on December 25, 2023. Many old provisions will be abolished and new provisions will be added with the implementation of these laws.
Several significant changes have been made in the new laws. The Indian Penal Code 2023 consists of 356 sections and repeals 22 provisions of the IPC. The new law includes strict penalties for crimes such as mob lynching, rape, murder, and offenses against the state. The Indian Civil Defense Code 2023 introduces changes in 107 provisions of the CrPC and presents nine new provisions. The Indian Evidence Act contains a total of 170 sections and repeals five provisions of the old act.
The three new laws will bring major changes to the judicial system. There is a provision for the maximum death penalty in cases of mob lynching and rape of minors. The process of filing FIRs has been simplified; now any citizen can file a zero FIR at any police station. Hearings and interrogations can be conducted through video conferencing. The mandatory deployment of forensic teams and the videography of crime scenes have also been included. These changes will make the judicial process more transparent and effective.
