In a significant overhaul of India’s criminal legislation, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the implementation of three new laws aimed at prioritizing justice over mere punishment. Speaking at the ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’ conference held on Sunday in Mumbai, Meghwal detailed the shift from colonial-era statutes to more contemporary frameworks that better reflect current societal needs.
The newly enacted laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. These laws, which officially came into effect this Monday, aim to transform the punitive approach of the past into a system focused on delivering justice.
“The new criminal laws are structured to provide ‘justice’ rather than focusing merely on ‘punishment’. This marks a significant shift from the Colonial-era legislations,” Meghwal explained during his address at the NSCI Auditorium in Worli.
The formulation of these laws involved broad consultations across various sectors of society, including politicians from different parties, common citizens, and recommendations from the Law Commission of India. “This inclusive approach ensures that the legislation reflects diverse perspectives and addresses contemporary challenges in administering criminal justice,” Meghwal added.
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Highlighting the importance of effective implementation, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, stressed the responsibility of those tasked with upholding these new laws. Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, and Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, both praised the progressive elements of the new laws.
The objective of the conference was to educate the participants about the new legal provisions and prepare them for a transition to a justice system better suited for modern India, leaving behind the outdated colonial-era laws that have governed the country for over a century.
