Amit Shah withdraws earlier bills and presents three amended bills in the Lok Sabha to replace the Evidence Act, CrPC, IPC

December 13, 2023 

Three amended criminal law bills, which will replace the Indian Evidence Act, the CrPC, and the IPC were introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The three bills that were introduced in the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session of parliament were withdrawn by the Home Minister.

Three amended criminal law bills were introduced to the Lok Sabha by him namely Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023.

According to Amit Shah, some changes needed to be made, so the bills were withdrawn and three new ones were introduced. He said the Standing Committee had reviewed the bills and decided to reintroduce them rather than offer formal amendments.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress leader, recommended that the bills be examined in more detail.

Members will have time to review the legislation, according to Amit Shah, who stated that the Standing Committee had reviewed the bills. He said that on Thursday, the bills would be debated, and on Friday, he would respond.

The Indian Evidence Act of 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860 will replace the existing three bills.

 The IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act are intended to be replaced, respectively, by the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill 2023.

On August 11, the bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha i.e. lower house of parliament, which were then referred to the Standing Committee.

Shreyas Vange