New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the passage of the Criminal Code Bills in Parliament as a “watershed moment” in the country’s history and said that these legislations will mark the beginning of a new era where laws are centered on public service and welfare.
Amid protests over the mass suspension of Opposition MPs, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Criminal Code Bills on Thursday, a day after they cleared the Lok Sabha hurdle.
The three criminal justice Bills — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill seek to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1898; and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare.”
The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2023
He further said that the criminal code draft legislations bear India’s “commitment to reform” and ensure “enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections”.
“These transformative Bills are a testament to India’s commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections of our society,” PM Modi wrote.
“At the same time, these Bills come down heavily on organised crime, terrorism and such offences which strike at the root of our peaceful journey to progress. Through them, we have also bid goodbye to the outdated sections on sedition,” he added.