One Year of New Criminal Laws which Came into Force on 1st July 2024 | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

One Year of New Criminal Laws which Came into Force on 1st July 2024

Posted 02 Jul 2025

2 min read

The three new criminal laws introduced with aim to make the justice system not only affordable, accessible, and approachable, but also simple, consistent, and transparent

  • New Laws Replacing Colonial-Era Framework
  • Indian Penal Code (IPC, 1860): Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
  • Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC, 1973): Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
  • Indian Evidence Act (1872): Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).

Key Reforms in the Past One Year

  • Technology-Driven Justice System
    • e-Sakshya (e-evidence) and e-Summons notified in 11 States/UTs.
    • Nyaya Shruti (enables courts to hear witness testimonies via video conferencing) implemented in 6 States/UTs.
    • Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) network: Covers over 14,000 police stations, 22,000 courts are online.
  • Capacity Building and Training: 23 States/UTs have completed 100% capacity-building.
  • Community service introduced as a penalty in 12 States/UTs.

Challenges in Implementing the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

  • lack of adequate infrastructural support: E.g., Several police stations, courts and prisons lack basic access to the internet and tools enabling digital access. 
  • BNSS sets justice timelines but lacks enforcement: E.g., 22% vacancies in police and district judiciary make deadlines hard to meet.
  • BNSS and BSA emphasize forensics, but implementation suffers: Due to 47% administrative and 49% scientific vacancies.

Key Supreme Court Judgments on BNS, BNSS

  • Case: Re-Inhuman Conditions In 1382 Prisons v. Director General of Prisons: Retrospective application of BNSS Section 479 (Undertrial Detention).
  • CaseBadshah Majid Malik v. Directorate of Enforcement: Granted bail under PMLA as the accused had served one-third of the maximum sentence under BNSS
  • Case: Re-Inhuman Conditions In 1382 Prisons: Jail authorities must identify eligible women prisoners for release under Section 479 BNSS.
  • Tags :
  • CCTNS
  • Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Watch News Today
Subscribe for Premium Features