Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita set to replace Indian Penal Code | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a historic move, the Indian government is ushering in a legal transformation by replacing the archaic Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Home Minister Amit Shah presented the bill in Lok Sabha. He outlined the sweeping changes that aim to eradicate colonial-era criminal laws and introduce stringent measures against heinous crimes.

Key Points of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita encompasses twenty new offences, addressing contemporary challenges. Some of them include organized crime, terrorist acts, hit-and-run incidents, mob lynching, and sexual exploitation of women through deceitful means.
• Notably, the bill places a heightened emphasis on the protection of women and children, punishing murderers, and deterring threats to the state.
• The ambit of terror activities has been broadened to include causing damage or destruction in a foreign country intended for the defence of India.
• Additionally, the bill expands the definition of terror activities to encompass the detention, kidnapping, or abduction of individuals to coerce governmental actions.
• In a significant move towards safeguarding societal harmony, the new legislation introduces the death penalty for severe instances of mob lynching and rape of minors.
• It also breaks new ground by prescribing ‘community service’ as a penalty for minor offences, such as thefts under ₹5,000, acknowledging the need for nuanced responses to various transgressions.
• Crucially, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita reflects a progressive stance by incorporating transgender individuals into the ‘definition of gender.’ Notably, it decriminalizes adultery and homosexual relationships, aligning with evolving societal norms.
• Amit Shah declared the repeal of the sedition law, replacing it with a provision that criminalizes acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
• The maximum penalty for this offence has been increased to seven years, reflecting a more stringent approach towards threats to the nation.
• In a nod to mental health sensitivities, attempting suicide is no longer deemed a criminal offence under the new legislation.
• This move underscores a humane approach to addressing mental health issues within the legal framework.

As the nation embraces the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, it signals a landmark departure from outdated laws, ushering in an era of legal reforms that are attuned to the contemporary needs of society.

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