In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the passage of three crucial criminal justice bills, deeming it a watershed moment in India's history. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, approved by Parliament, are set to replace colonial-era acts, including the Indian Penal Code-1860, Code of Criminal Procedure-1898, and Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Addressing the nation on X, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the historic nature of these legislative changes, heralding the end of colonial-era legal frameworks. Notably, the prime minister highlighted the removal of outdated sedition laws through these bills, signaling a departure from historical legal structures.
Describing the bills as transformative, Prime Minister Modi asserted their role in ushering in a new era focused on public service and welfare. He underlined the government's commitment to reform, stating that these legal changes bring India's legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era, with a strong emphasis on technology and forensic science.
The prime minister outlined the bills' objectives, emphasizing their stance against organized crime, terrorism, and offenses hindering the country's progress. Furthermore, he stressed that these reforms are designed to provide enhanced protection for the socio-economically marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.
"In our Amrit Kaal, these legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy-driven," Prime Minister Modi stated. He also referenced Home Minister Amit Shah's detailed explanations in Parliament, which highlighted the key features and implications of these transformative bills.