The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 have been enacted to update the criminal justice system in India, as per a statement from the Home Ministry. These new laws aim to make the legal process faster, simpler, and more transparent. Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar highlighted that these provisions have led to quicker and fairer case resolutions, boosting confidence in the legal system.
The new legislation emphasizes expediting investigations into crimes against women and children, ensuring completion within two months of recording the information. Additionally, the laws limit adjournments to a maximum of two to prevent unnecessary delays in court proceedings, thereby ensuring timely delivery of justice. Various applications like e-Sakshya, e-Summon, and Nyaya-Shruti (VC) have been introduced to enhance the speed, efficiency, and transparency of the judicial process.
e-Sakshya facilitates the secure and scientific collection, preservation, and electronic submission of digital evidence, while e-Summon enables electronic delivery of summonses, making the process faster and easily traceable. Nyaya-Shruti (VC) allows virtual appearances of accused individuals, witnesses, police officials, and others involved in legal proceedings through video conferencing. These changes were made following recommendations from the Law Commission and different committees to reform the criminal justice system in India.
The new laws ensure that key stages of investigation and trial, such as preliminary inquiries, further investigations, document supply to victims and accused individuals, judgment pronouncements, and mercy petition filings, are streamlined and completed within specified timeframes. These laws were officially notified in the Gazette of India on December 25, 2023, with the provisions of BNS and BSA coming into effect from July 1, 2024. The shift from colonial-era laws to technology-driven processes aims to expedite investigations, focus on victims, and deliver justice in a timely manner.
