DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

What are the major provisions of the new A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ï¹[ xÂþB\Vª ¶Dĺï^
criminal laws? Discuss the challenges in ¨[ª? A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ïçe ¶\_Ã|Ý>o_
c^e ÄkV_ïçe© Ãu¤ skV]Âï¡D.
implementation of new criminal laws.
¶¤xïD
Introduction ‡‘ 2 0 2 4 É ç é 1 - ¶ [ ® Ö Í ] B V à ç w B
- On July 1, 2024 India transformed into a ïVéMÝm s]ïÓÂz© Ã]éVï Ä⦺ïçe
new criminal law system replacing old \Vu¤ A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦠¶ç\©ÃVï
ÖÍ]BV \V¤¥^em. A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ï^
colonial rules. The new criminal laws are >õ¦çª ¼åVÂïÝ]_ Ö_éV\_, À]çB ïò]
justice oriented rather than from a k½kç\Âï©Ãâ¦çk.’
punishment perspective. A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ï¹[ xÂþB\Vª ¶Dĺï^
Major Provisions Bharatiya Nyaya ÃV«]B WBVB Ä[N>V
Sanhita 1. ]ò\ðD ØÄFm ØïV^k>Vï kVÂz®] :
]ò\ðD ØÄFm ØïV^k>Vï °\Vu®D
1. Promise to Marry: Criminalising deceitful
kVÂz®]ïçá zuÅ©Ã|Ým>_
promises to marry
2. zDÃ_ ØïVçéï^ : zDÃ_ ØïVçéï^ \u®D
2. Mob Lynching: Codify offences linked to Øk®©A zuÅD ØïVçéïÓ¦[
mob lynching and hate-crime murders Ø>V¦ìAç¦B zuźïçá z¤©¸|>_
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

3. Terrorism: Ordinary criminal law now 3. ÃBºï«kV>D : ÄV>V«ð zuÅsB_ Äâ¦D

covers Organized Crime and Terrorism, Ö©¼ÃVm οºïç\Âï©Ã⦠zuÅD \u®D
ÃBºï«kV>Ýç> c^á¦ÂþBm. UAPA c¦[
including a broader scope for terror Ω¸|D¼ÃVm BNS_ ÃBºï«kV> W]¥>sÂïVª
financing in BNS compared to UAPA ëÍ> ¼åVÂïºïçá¥D c^á¦ÂþBm.
4. Attempt to Suicide: Criminalises attempts 4. >uØïVçé xBuE: ¨Í> ØÃVm© Ãè BVeç«
>ªm ¶]ïV«©¯ìk ï¦ç\çBß
to commit suicide with intent to compel or
ØÄFk]oòÍm ïâ|©Ã|Ý> ¶_ém >|Âï
restrain any public servant from xBuEÂzD ¼åVÂïÝ]_ >uØïVçé xBuEïçe
discharging official duty zuÅ\VÂzþÅm.
5. Community Service: Added as possible 5. ÄJï¼Äçk : >õ¦çªl[ ÄVÝ]B\Vª
k½k\Vï ¼ÄìÂï©Ãâ¦m.
form of punishment
6. ¼ÃVoß ØÄF]ï^ : >kÅVª \u®D >kÅVª
6. Fake News: Criminalisation of publishing >ïk_ïçá Øk¹l|km, zuÅsB_
false and misleading information ØÄBéVzD.
7. Sedition: Introduced under a new name 7. ¼>ÄÝm¼«VïD : ëÍ> kç«BçÅ¥¦[
¼>ÄÝm¼«VïD ¨[Å A]B ØÃBö_
'deshdroh' with wider definition ¶¤xï©Ã|Ý>©Ãâ¦m.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

8. Death by Negligence: Elevates punishment 8. ¶éâEBÝ>V_ \«ðD : ¶éâEBÝ>V_

for causing death by negligence from two to \«ðÝç> cõ¦VÂzD >õ¦çªçB
Ö«õ½oòÍm 5 kò¦ºïáVï cBìÝmþÅm.
five years (for doctors - 2 yrs imprisonment) (\òÝmkìïÓÂz 2 gõ|ï^
Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita EçÅÝ>õ¦çª)
1. Mandated Use of Electronic Mode: At ÃV«]B åVÂö ·«Â­V Ä[N>V
stages of investigation, inquiry, and trial 1. sÄV«çð \u®D sÄV«çð Wçéï¹_
¨éÂâ«VM ÃB[xçÅl[ ïâ¦VB ÃB[ÃV|
2. Alternative to Arrest: Instead of arrest the
2. çïm ØÄFk>uïVª \Vu® : çïm ØÄFk>uz©
police can take a security bond for their Ã]éVï À]ÝmçÅ å|kì x[ gÛ«Vk>uïVï
appearance before a Judicial Magistrate ¼ÃVÜü ÃVmïV©A ÃÝ]«Ýç> ¨|ÝmÂ
ØïV^áéVD.
3. Community Service Defined: Work which
3. ÄJï¼Äçk kç«BçÅ : À]\[ÅD Îò
the Court may order a convict to perform as
zuÅkV¹Âz cÝ>«s¦Âí½B ¼kçé
a form of punishment that benefits the ÄJïÝ]uz å[ç\ ØÄF¥D >õ¦çªl[ Îò
community. k½k\Vï ØÄB_Ã|>_.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

4. Substitution of Terminology: "Mental 4. ØÄVuï¹[ \VuS| : \ª¼åVF ¨[Ã>uz

illness" replaced by "unsoundness of mind" Ã]éVï ØÃòDÃVéVª °uÃV|ï¹_
¶ØÄáïöBD.
in majority of provisions.
5. gkð©Ã|Ý>_ Øå¤xçÅï^ : ¸½ gçð
5. Documentation Protocols: Searches ¶_ém ¸½ gçð Ö_éV> ¼>¦_ïÓÂz
with/without warrants require mandatory Ã]¡ ØÄFB©Ã⦠c^á¦ÂïÝm¦[ í½B
audio-video documentation with recorded ι‡Îo (g½¼BV‡T½¼BV) gkðºï^
c¦ª½BVï Ä\쩸Âï©Ã¦ ¼kõ|D.
material promptly submitted to Magistrate.
(À]\[Å å|kì x[Mçél_)
6. Timelines for Procedures: Prescribes 6. åç¦xçÅïÓÂïVª ïVéÂØï| : kV>Ý]uz©
timelines for various procedures like ¸[ 30 åVâïÓÂz^ yì©çà kwºzkm ¼ÃV[Å
issuing verdict within 30 days post- Ã_¼k® åç¦xçÅïÓÂïVª ïVéÂØï|çk
argument ÃöÍmç«ÂþÅm.
7. ¯ë÷B ¨©.n.gì : FIR Ã]¡ ØÄFk>uïVª
7. Zero FIR: Jurisdictional limit to file a FIR is ¶]ïV« k«DA ÀÂï©Ãâ¦m. ïVk_
done away. FIR can be filed in any police WçéBÝ][ ¶]ïV« k«DçÃ
station irrespective of the jurisdiction of the ØÃVòâÃ|Ý>V\_ >ïk_ ¶¤Âçï Ã]¡
crime. ØÄFBéVD.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

8. Rights of Victim/Informant: Police after 8. ÃV]Âï©Ãâ¦kö[ / >ïk_ ¶¹©Ãkö[

filing charge sheet obligated to supply cöç\ï^ : ÃV]Âï©Ãâ¦kìÂz ¼ÃVÜü
¶¤Âçï \u®D ¸Å gkðºïçá
police report and other documents to victim zuÅ©ÃÝ]öÂçïçB >VÂï_ ØÄF> ¸Åz
9. Witness protection: Scheme to be laid down kwºïéVD.
by State Governments 9. ÄVâE ÃVmïV©A : \VWé ¶«·ïáV_ kwºï©Ãâ¦
]â¦Ý][ ¶½©Ãç¦l_ ÃVmïV©A.
Bharatiya Shakshya Adhiniyam
ÃV«]B ÄVÕB g]MBD
1. Legal Status of Electronic Records: 1. t[ªb Ã]¡ï¹[ Äâ¦Wçé : t[ªb
Electronic records now hold equivalent Ã]¡ï^ Ö©¼ÃVm ÃV«DÃöB ïVþ> gkðºïÓÂz
legal status to traditional paper documents. Ä\\Vª Ä⦠¶Í>üç>© ØÃu®^áª.
2. Scope of Electronic records: Electronic 2. t[ªb Ã]¡ï¹[ ¼åVÂïD : WçªkïD
records encompassing data stored in \u®D >ïk_ Ø>V¦ìA ÄV>ªºï¹_
¼ÄtÂï©Ã⦠>«¡ïçá c^á¦ÂþB t[ªb
memory and communication devices Ã]¡ïçá ØÃu®^áª.
3. Oral Evidence: Allows oral evidence to be 3. kVFka g>V«D : kVFka g>V«ºïçá
given electronically t[ªb xçÅl_ kwºï ¶Ð\]ÂþÅm.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

4. Secondary Evidence: Electronic records are 4. Ö«õ¦VD Wçé ÄV[®ï^ : t[ªb Ã]¡ï^
Ö « õ ¦ V D W ç é Ä V [ ® ï á V ï
categorised as secondary evidence
kçï©Ã|Ý>©Ã|þ[Ū.
5. Definition of Joint Trial: Means trying 5. íâ| sÄV«çðl[ kç«BçÅ : μ«
more than one person for the same crime. A zuÅÝ]uïVï Î[®Âz ¼\uÃ⦠åÃìïçá
trial of multiple persons, where an accused sÄVö©Ãm ¨[® ØÃVò^. Ãé åÃìï¹[
sÄV«çð ¶_ém Îò zuÅD ÄV⦩Ãâ¦kì
has not responded to an arrest warrant, will çïm kV«õ½uz Ã]é¹Âïs_çé ¨[ÅV_,
be treated as a joint trial íâ| sÄV«çðBVï ïò>©Ã|D.
Challenges A]B zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ïçe ¶\_Ã|Ý>o_ c^e
ÄkV_ï^
Transition Period Complexity \Vu® ïVé EÂï_ï^
1. Adjusting the judiciary and law ‡ À]\[ÅD \u®D Ä⦠¶\_Ã|Ý>_
enforcement to new legal frameworks ¶ç\©Aïçe A]B Äâ¦Â ïâ¦ç\©AïÓÂz
requires significant time and resources. °uà \Vu¤ ¶ç\©Ã>uz ¼å«xD, ¶]ï\Vª
keºïÓD ¼>çk©Ã|ÝmþÅm.
2. Training of judicial officers, police, and ‡ À]Ã]ï^, ïVkéì \u®D Äâ¦
legal professionals needs careful planning. WAðìïÓÂïVª ÃluEï^ ïkª\VïÝ
]â¦t¦©Ã¦ ¼kõ|D.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Lack of Adequate Training ÃluEl[ ÃuÅVÂzçÅ

‡ ïVkéìïÓÂzD Ä⦩ ÃluEBVeìïÓD
1. Police and legal practitioners may not be
A]B Äâ¦WÃÍ>çªï¹_ ¼ÃVm\Vª ÃluE
sufficiently trained in the new provisions, ØÃÅV>>V_, ¶çk >kÅVï seÂï©Ã|k¼>V
leading to misinterpretation and improper ¶_ém >kÅVï ¶\_Ã|Ý>©Ã|k¼>V
enforcement. °uæÂí|D.
Resource Constraints ká ïâ|©ÃV|ï^
‡ åç¦xçÅ©Ã|Ým>éVªm åTª c^
1. Implementation demands additional ïâ¦ç\©A, W] \u®D ÃluE ØÃuÅ
resources such as modern infrastructure, ÃèBVáìï^ ¼ÃV[Å í|>_ g>V«ºïçáÂ
funds, and trained personnel which may ¼ïVòþÅm. ¶çk \VWéºï¹_ μ«
not be uniformly available across states. \V]öBVï þç¦ÂþÅm.
Public Awareness ØÃVm\Âï^ sa©Aðì¡
‡ A]B Ä⦺ï^ Ãu¤B ØÃVm\Âï¹ç¦¼B
1. Low awareness among the public about the sa©Aðì¡ zçÅkVï ÖòÍ>V_, ¶ku¤[
new laws can limit their effectiveness and ØÄB_ÃVâç¦ æ«Vï ¶\_Ã|Ýmkç>Ý
could lead to challenges in compliance. >|ÂzD, ¼\KD ¶kuçÅ ¸[Ãu®k]_
EÂï_ï^ °uæÂí|D.
 DESCRIPTIVE TYPE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Backlog of Cases WKçk kwÂzï^

‡ WKçkl_ c^e kwÂzï^ ØÄBuçï
1. The existing backlog of cases can
Öç¦R®ïçe °uÃ|Ý], A]B Ä⦺ï¹[
overwhelm the system and affect the timely ¼åìxçÅ ¶\_Ã|Ý>çé ÃV]ÂïÂí|D.
application of new laws. æ«Vª ¶\éVÂïD
Uniform Implementation ‡ \VWéºï^ Øk˼k® ]Å[ïçá¥D
1. States may have different capacities and \Vuźïçáß ØÄB_Ã|Ý> sò©ÃÝç>¥D
ØïVõ½òÂïÂí|D, Ö>[ sçákVï åV|
willingness to implement changes, resulting x¿kmD æ«uÅ ÃB[ÃV| °uÃ|þÅm.
in inconsistent application across the country. x½¡ç«
Conclusion ‡ æì]òÝ>©Ã⦠zuÅsB_ Ä⦺ï^
- The reformed criminal laws adopted global céïáVsB >«Wçéïçá °u®ÂØïVõ¦ª.
\u®D ¶kuçÅ ÖÍ]B ïõ¼ðVâ¦Ý]uz
standards and modified them to suit the Indian
°uÅkV® \Vu¤Bç\Ý>ª. A]B zuÅsB_
perspective. While the new criminal laws aim Ä⦺ï^ À]ÝmçÅ ¶ç\©çÃ
to modernize the judicial system and enhance åTª\B\VÂzkç>¥D ¼åVÂï\VïÂ
justice delivery, multiple challenges must be ØïVõ¦VKD, Øku¤ï«\Vª Ãé ÄkV_ïçá
navigated for successful implementation. kaå¦Ý> ¼kõ|D.