A New Era of Criminal Justice
India's criminal laws have been overhauled with three new statutes replacing the colonial-era IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. These came into force on 1 July 2024.
Key Highlights
- BNS — 358 sections replacing 511 of the IPC
- BNSS — Time-bound investigation and trial
- BSA — Digital evidence given equal footing
New Offences
Acts of terrorism, organised crime, and mob lynching have been codified as standalone offences. Sedition has been replaced with a broader offence against the State.
Implications for Lawyers
Practitioners must update precedents, pleading templates and procedural understanding. Many sections have been renumbered, which affects citations in ongoing matters.
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