Imphal: On Monday, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced the commencement of three new criminal laws, emphasizing their anticipated significant reforms to India’s criminal justice system, effectively ending the era of colonial law.
The newly enacted laws—the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—were passed in Parliament last December. These laws replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively. The changes took effect nationwide on Monday, July 1.
At an event organized by the State Home Department and held at the Manipur State Film Development Society, Chief Minister Biren Singh stated that the new laws would overhaul the Indian criminal justice system, aiming to implement justice through a victim-centric approach. The new laws will also increase focus on national security and introduce digital/electronic reviews.
The Chief Minister issued a stern warning to those who take the law into their own hands and urged officials to work diligently to ensure timely justice for victims. He highlighted that the new laws include provisions for a maximum of two adjournments in court cases and the ability to file zero-FIRs at any police station. Additionally, FIRs can now be filed in one’s own dialect.
N. Biren Singh explained that the Central Government introduced these laws due to the inadequacy of existing laws to address technological advancements and societal shifts over the past few decades. Other major changes include revisions in punishment for certain crimes and addressing issues such as jurisdiction, case backlog, insufficient human resources and infrastructure, inadequate investigations and prosecutions, and outdated laws and procedures.
Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar Singh noted that the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 includes provisions for community service, shifting focus from solely punishing culprits to also rehabilitating them.
The event was attended by Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Minister L. Susindro Meitei, Minister Heikham Dingo, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, administrative secretaries, senior police officials, eminent law officers, and law students.
