Table of Contents
📄 Introduction
India’s legal framework, for more than 150 years, was guided by colonial-era laws: the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act 1872. In 2023, the government introduced three new legislations:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 – replacing IPC
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 – replacing CrPC
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 – replacing Evidence Act
The aim: to modernise justice delivery and make laws citizen-centric, speedy, and technology-friendly.
⚖️ Key Highlights of the New Laws
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Introduces community service as a punishment for minor crimes
- Makes mob lynching punishable by death penalty
- Expands definitions of terrorism and organised crime
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Digitisation: Electronic records admissible in courts
- Mandatory video-recording of certain processes
- Police must produce charge sheet within strict timelines
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)
- Digital evidence given the same status as documentary evidence
- Modernises rules for admissibility of confessions and statements
✅ Advantages
- Faster Justice: Time-bound investigations and trials
- Technology Integration: Use of digital evidence and video recordings
- Victim-Centric: Stronger provisions against crimes like mob lynching and terrorism
⚠️ Concerns & Criticisms
- Implementation Hurdles: India’s courts are already overburdened
- Digital Divide: Rural areas may struggle with electronic evidence and video trials
- Death Penalty Debate: Whether stricter punishments deter crimes remains contested
📌 Case Study
- Mob Lynching Incidents: In the past decade, mob lynching cases rose across states. Earlier laws lacked specific deterrence. The new law introduces death penalty for mob lynching, reflecting societal demand for stronger punishment.
- Digital Evidence in Court: In the 2020 Hathras case, WhatsApp chats and phone records became crucial evidence. Under the new law, such digital records gain direct legal recognition, speeding up admissibility.
🎯 Relevance for SSB Aspirants
- GD Topic: “Are stricter laws enough to reduce crime in India?”
- Lecturette: “New Criminal Laws of India – Progressive or Problematic?”
- PI Questions: “What reforms do you think are needed in India’s justice system?”
🔑 OLQ Angle: Candidates must show balanced reasoning – acknowledging reforms while highlighting challenges. This demonstrates critical thinking and awareness, key traits for future officers.
👉 Learn more about OLQs with our 03 month OLQ ebook. A self paced guide to prepare candidates in getting ready to face the challenges thrown at SSB.
