The Lok Sabha Passed 3 bills on new Criminal Laws IPC, CrPc and Indian Evidence Act

 The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) is a bill that seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

 August 11, 2023: The original Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill (BNS) was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

December 12, 2023: The BNS Bill was withdrawn after facing criticism and undergoing scrutiny by the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

December 12, 2023: A revised version, the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill (BNS2), was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

December 20, 2023: The BNS2 was passed by the Lok Sabha, not on Wednesday (which was December 20th).

Therefore, while the BNS2 has cleared one hurdle by successfully passing the Lok Sabha, it still needs to be voted on and approved by the Rajya Sabha before it becomes law. It's still early to say with certainty when or if it will be finally implemented.

 The BNS includes a number of significant changes from the IPC, including:

 Repeal of sedition: The BNS repeals the sedition law, which was widely criticized for being used to suppress dissent.

Introduction of a new penal code for mob lynching: The BNS introduces a new penal code that specifically criminalizes mob lynching.

Making the death penalty mandatory for rape of minors: The BNS makes the death penalty mandatory for rape of minors.

Other changes proposed by the BNS include:

 Adding terrorism as an offence: The BNS adds terrorism as an offence.

Adding petty organised crime as an offence: The BNS adds petty organised crime as an offence.

Adding murder by a group of five or more people on grounds of certain identity markers as an offence: The BNS adds murder by a group of five or more people on grounds of certain identity markers as an offence.

The BNS has been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the changes, arguing that they are necessary to modernize India's criminal justice system and protect the rights of citizens. Others have criticized the changes, arguing that they are too harsh and could lead to human rights abuses.

 It is still unclear whether the BNS will be passed by Parliament. If it is passed, it would represent a significant change to India's criminal law.

 Here are some of the key changes proposed by the BNS in more detail:

 Repeal of sedition

 The sedition law was a colonial-era law that made it a crime to bring or attempt to bring hatred or contempt, or excite disaffection towards the government established by law. The law was widely criticized for being used to suppress dissent, and it was challenged in court several times. In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutionally valid, but it placed certain restrictions on its use.

 The BNS repeals the sedition law entirely. This is a significant change, as it would remove a law that has been used to stifle dissent in India for many years.

 Introduction of a new penal code for mob lynching

 Mob lynching is a serious problem in India. In recent years, there have been numerous cases of people being lynched by mobs, often on the suspicion of being involved in crimes such as theft, cattle theft, or eating beef.

 The BNS introduces a new penal code that specifically criminalizes mob lynching. The new code defines mob lynching as the killing of a person by a group of people acting in concert. It also provides for a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for mob lynching.

 This is a significant change, as it would send a clear message that mob lynching is a serious crime that will be punished.

 Making the death penalty mandatory for rape of minors

 The death penalty is a controversial punishment in India. It is currently mandatory for certain crimes, such as murder and waging war against the state.

 The BNS makes the death penalty mandatory for rape of minors. This is a significant change, as it would mean that anyone convicted of raping a minor would be sentenced to death.

 This is a controversial change, as it would mean that the death penalty would be applied to a wider range of crimes. Some people argue that this is necessary to protect children from rape, while others argue that it is too harsh a punishment.

 Other changes proposed by the BNS include:

 Adding terrorism as an offence: The BNS adds terrorism as an offence. Terrorism is defined as the use of violence or the threat of violence to achieve a political or religious goal.

Adding petty organised crime as an offence: The BNS adds petty organised crime as an offence. Petty organised crime is defined as a group of two or more people who commit crimes together.

Adding murder by a group of five or more people on grounds of certain identity markers as an offence: The BNS adds murder by a group of five or more people on grounds of certain identity markers as an offence. This is a new offence that would cover cases of murder that are motivated by hatred or discrimination against certain groups of people.