New Laws to Replace IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act Effective July 1 Amidst Concerns from Legal Experts

Anuprabha Bansod, RTM Nagpur University’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law

Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Law Minister, while speaking to news agency PTI, stated, “From July 1, all three laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Act will replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Evidence Act. Looking at the current situation, there are many innovative ideas in these three laws.”

The laws were passed by the Parliament in December 2023 and received the President’s assent that same month, but they did not become effective immediately because the Centre postponed their implementation. On February 25, the Centre disclosed that the laws would come into force on July 1. Recently, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising wrote to the Law Minister, urging a delay in implementing the laws. Numerous lawyers and academics have expressed concerns about these new laws.