A new bill to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will repeal the offence of sedition completely, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Lok Sabha on Friday while introducing three bills to change British-era laws.
The IPC, which was framed by the British in the year 1860, has been the core of the criminal justice system of the country for more than 160 years. And sedition charges are criminalised under Section 124A of the IPC.
Apart from IPC, the bills that were tabled today would replace the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.
Speaking about the new bills, Shah said, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 will be sent to a parliamentary panel for further scrutiny
Which bill would replace which law?
- The CrPC of 1973 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- The Indian Evidence Act of 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023.
- Indian Penal Code would be replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
While presenting the bill in Lok Sabha, Shah said, “From 1860 to 2023, the country’s criminal justice system functioned as per the laws made by the British.”
“The focus of those law was to protect and strengthen the British administration, the idea was to punish and not to give justice.”
The Union minister cited the new laws that will replace the older ones will completely overhaul the criminal justice system in the country. “The new three laws will bring the spirit to protect the rights of the Indian citizen,” he said in the Lower House of Parliament.
“The aim will not be to punish, it will be to provide justice. Punishment will be given to create a sentiment of stopping crime,” he added.
Meanwhile, I.N.D.I.A. MPs boycotted Lok Sabha proceedings against the suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Lok Sabha and march to Dr Ambedkar’s statue in Parliament.
