Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the recent passing of three significant criminal justice bills as a pivotal moment in India's history.
He hailed it as the initiation of a new era, centred on public service and welfare, bidding farewell to archaic colonial-era laws, including sections pertaining to sedition.
The newly passed bills - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam - are set to replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.
In Modi's words, these bills signify the culmination of colonial-era laws and introduce a new legal framework focused on serving the public and societal welfare. He emphasised their transformative nature, underscoring India's dedication to reforming its legal, policing, and investigative systems by incorporating technology and forensic science. Furthermore, the bills aim to provide amplified protection to the marginalised and vulnerable segments of society.
The prime minister highlighted the bills' stringent approach towards combating organised crime, terrorism, and offences detrimental to the nation's progress. He described these legislative reforms as integral to India's contemporary legal framework, reflecting empathy and relevance in the modern era.
Modi referenced Home Minister Amit Shah's speeches in Parliament, outlining the essential characteristics of these bills. He emphasised the bills' role in redefining the legal structure during the "Amrit Kaal" (a period of significant transformation), aligning it with empathy and relevance for contemporary times.