The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)

3 new criminal laws come into force from July 1, Delhi’s judges and lawyers gear up for changes

FROM HOLDING orientatio­n programmes to handing out free reading material, Delhi’s judges and lawyers are gearing up for a huge change in courtrooms come July 1 when the three new criminal laws will come into force.

Over their summer break, lawyers, public prosecutor­s and judicial officers will be reading about the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) which seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC); thebh ar atiy any a ya san hit a(bns) which seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam which seeks to replace the indian evidence act.

At court complexes, QR codes printed on a 4 sheets can be found scattered for lawyers to scan so that they gain free access to reading material regarding the new laws. The Delhi Judicial Academy, along with Delhi Bar Associatio­n, also held an orientatio­n programme at the Tis Hazari Courts for five days in May to familiaris­e advocates with the new laws.

Overview of the criminal laws, a comparison with the older laws, the addition of new offences, trials in absentia, and rights of victims and accused were the main focus of the 10 sessions which spread out over five days.

“There are not many new offences, but the sequence of all the of fences has been changed ,” delhi Bar Associatio­n President Nitin Ahlawat told The Indian Express, adding that educating lawyers was of utmost importance if the judiciary was to function effectivel­y. He also said that every day, around 400 lawyers from across Delhi attended the sessions.

While there are many overlaps between the new and old laws, there are 33 offences in the new laws where imprisonme­nt has increased. In 83, fines have increased and in 23 punishment has been made mandatory.

Additional offences include “beggary” under Section 143 of the BNS, “mob lynching”, “hate crimes” and “sexual intercours­e by deceitful means”. Along with these, “petty organised crimes” like snatching have been added.