End of Colonial-Era Laws, PM Modi Dedicates to Nation New Criminal Laws

New Delhi, Dec 03: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of three transformative new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,  Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita  and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam today at Chandigarh. 

Addressing the gathering, Modi remarked that the identity of Chandigarh was associated with the Goddess Maa Chandi, a form of power which establishes truth and justice. He added that the same philosophy was the basis of the whole format of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and  Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. 

 The Prime Minister said that the coming into effect of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, inspired by the spirit of the Indian Constitution, was an illustrious moment as the nation was at the important juncture of moving ahead with the resolution of Viksit Bharat as well as commemorating the completion of 75 years of Indian Constitution. He added that it was a concrete effort towards fulfilling the ideals that our Constitution envisioned for the citizens of the country. Shri Modi said that he had just got a glimpse of how the laws will be enforced by a live demonstration of the same. 

The Prime Minister underscored that the process of making the country’s new Nyay Sanhita has been as comprehensive as the document itself. He added that it involved the hard work of the nation’s many great constitution and legal experts. 

Modi noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs had asked for suggestions in January 2020. He added that there were  suggestions of many Chief Justices of the Supreme Court along with support from the Chief Justices of many High Courts of the country. 

He said that many stakeholders including the Supreme Court, 16 High Courts, Judicial Academies, Law Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and many intellectuals were involved in debates and discussions and used their vast experience over years to give their suggestions and ideas for the new Sanhitas. 

He further added that there were deliberations on the needs of the nation in today’s modern world. Shri Modi also noted that there was intensive brainstorming over the challenges faced by the Judicial System in the seven decades of Independence along with looking into the practical aspect of each and every law. He added that even the futuristic aspect of the Nyay Sanhita was worked upon. All these intensive efforts, he said, had given us the current form of the Nyay Sanhita. 

Modi expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court, High Courts – Punjab and Haryana High Court, in particular and all the Judges for their concerted efforts towards the new Nyay Sanhita. 

He also thanked the Bar for coming forward and taking its ownership. Modi expressed confidence that this Nyay Sanhita of India, made with everyone’s cooperation, would prove to be a milestone in India’s judicial journey.

Noting that the Criminal laws were made by the Britishers in the pre-Independence era as means of oppression and exploitation, Modi said that Indian Penal Code (IPC) was introduced in 1860 consequent to the country’s first major freedom struggle in 1857. 

He added that a few years later, the Indian Evidence Act was introduced and then the first structure of CRPC came into existence. Modi remarked that the idea and purpose of these laws was to punish Indians and enslave them. 

He expressed that it was unfortunate that even decades after independence, our laws revolved around the same penal code and penal mindset. He further added that despite changes in the laws from time to time, their character remained the same. Shri Modi underscored that this mindset of slavery had impacted India’s progress to a great extent.

Emphasizing that the country should now come out of that colonial mindset, the Prime Minister urged that the strength of the nation should be used in nation building, which necessitated national thinking. 

He recalled that during the Independence day speech this year, he had pledged to the country to get rid of the mentality of slavery. Shri Modi underlined that with the implementation of the new Nyay Sanhitas, the country had taken another step forward in that direction. He added that the Nyaya Sanhita was strengthening the spirit of ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’, which is the basis of democracy.

The laws involved provisions such as within 90 days of the complaint, the victim will have to be given information regarding the progress of the case and this information will reach him directly through digital services like SMS. 

He added that a system had been created to take action against the person who obstructs the work of the police and a separate chapter was introduced to ensure the safety of women including their rights and safety at workplace, home and society. 

Modi remarked that the Nyay Sanhitas ensured that the law stands with the victim. He added that in heinous crimes against women like rape, charges would be framed within 60 days from the first hearing and  it was also made mandatory to pronounce the verdict within 45 days of the completion of the hearing along with no adjournments for more than twice in any case.

He cited the examples of Chandigarh where a vehicle theft case was completed in just 2 months and 11 days and accused in case of spreading unrest in an area was also sentenced by the court after a complete hearing in just 20 days. 

He further cited examples of speedy justice in Delhi and Bihar and added that these speedy verdicts showed the power and impact of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. 

Modi emphasised that this change showed that changes and results were ascertained when there was a government dedicated to the interests of ordinary citizens and solving their problems.  “Rules and laws are effective only when they are relevant to the times”, said Modi. 

Noting that the law of the country was for the citizens, the Prime Minister said, therefore, legal processes should also be for the convenience of the public. 

Highlighting the lacunae in the Indian Penal Code and the fear of the law for the honest people as against the criminals, Modi said the new Nyay Sanhitas had freed the people from such troubles. He added that the Government had abolished more than 1500 old laws of British rule.

Concluding the speech, Modi expressed confidence that all of us would work together in this direction and increase our role in nation building.

Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu were present among other dignitaries at the event.