“Crime…law…India…,” Verum muttered in her sleep. “What is she saying?” Orak whispered. Orak, Scorch, and Felix stood around Verum. Felix shrugged, “Let’s wake her up and ask.” Orak nodded. “Verum, wake up,” Scorch shook her awake.
“India is planning to change its criminal laws!” Verum sat up abruptly and said sleepily. She looked at the surprised faces of the Mysticals around her. “What laws are you talking about?” Scorch said.
“Was I sleep-talking, again? Urgh!” Verum sighed, but continued, “Criminal laws punish criminals and put them in jail. The ruling government of India has put forth three new criminal bills in the parliament. They are called The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 and The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Bill. These three bills have been proposed to replace the old three criminal laws – The Indian Penal Code (IPC), The Indian Evidence Act (IEA), and the Code of Criminal Procedure. (CrPC)”
“Why are the old laws being replaced?” Felix said.
Verum explained, “Because the existing criminal laws are very old. The Indian Penal Code is 160 years old! The Code of Criminal Procedure is 50 years old. Most of these laws were made during the colonial era when India was under British rule.
The government believes the new laws will deliver justice and not just punishment. They aim to transform India’s criminal justice system.”
“When will these bills become laws?” Orak said.
“The three bills have been put forth in the parliament for approval of other members. A bill is a draft of the proposed law. Once it is passed by the parliament, a bill becomes law. A parliament is a legislative body of India. It has the power to create or change the laws of the country,” Verum said.
Verum added, “The new bills have proposed many changes. They allow people to register a police complaint at any police station, regardless of where the crime has taken place. They also encourage the use of electronic evidence during investigation. The bills also introduce community service as a new form of punishment. But some experts believe the new bills to have most of the terms as the old ones, only they have been released under new names.”
“Interesting,” Orak quietly noted.