New criminal laws in force; Cr.PC, IPC applicable only for old cases

• New criminal laws come into effect across the country despite objections from some states.

Highlights:

• Union government officials said that the States were free to bring in their own amendments to some provisions of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC).
• The BNSS prescribes the procedure and conditions for arrest, bail, and custody, among other things.
• The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaces the Indian Penal Code, 1860, may also be amended soon to incorporate a section on sexual crimes against men and transgender persons.
• A senior government official said that police officers were being asked to invoke other allied sections under the BNS, such as wrongful confinement and physical hurt, if they get such complaints, until an amendment is brought to correct this anomaly.
• The Bharatiya Sakshya (BS), which replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, is the third law which will come into force.
• The IPC and Cr.PC will run concurrently along with the new laws as several cases are still pending in courts and some crimes that took place before July 1 that are reported later will have to be registered under the IPC.

Prelims Takeaway

• BNSS
• BS