The Rajya Sabha, on Thursday, endorsed three criminal bills—Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and Bharatiya Saksha (Second) Bill—during a session where Opposition MPs were notably absent from Parliament.
The primary aim of these new bills is to modernize colonial-era criminal laws, with a specific focus on intensifying penalties for crimes such as terrorism, lynching, and offenses that pose a threat to national security. These bills, which serve as replacements for the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, had already secured approval in the Lok Sabha the previous day.
In response to this legislative development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his perspective, referring to the passage of the new criminal bills as a "watershed moment" in the nation's history. He emphasized that these bills marked the end of colonial-era laws and heralded a new era characterized by laws centered on public service and welfare.
PM Modi stated, "These transformative Bills are a testament to India's commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable sections of our society."
The Prime Minister further noted that the new bills will act vigorously against organized crime, terrorism, and offenses that pose a threat to the nation's peaceful progress. He highlighted the significance of these legal reforms in redefining the legal framework during the Amrit Kaal (era of rejuvenation), making it more relevant and empathetically driven.
During the debate in the Upper House of Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded, emphasizing that the bills, which repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, will bring forth a new era in the criminal justice system. He mentioned that once implemented, the entire process—from filing an FIR to the judgment—will be conducted online, bringing an end to the era of prolonged legal processes.
Importantly, the bills were passed in the Upper House in the absence of most opposition MPs, who had been suspended due to their "unruly behavior" while demanding a discussion on the security breach in Parliament that occurred on December 13. The next step involves the bills being sent to the president for approval, following which they will become laws.
