NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Politics News / Lok Sabha discusses criminal law bills amid opposition absence
    Next Article
    Lok Sabha discusses criminal law bills amid opposition absence
    The three bills seek to replace India's existing criminal laws

    Lok Sabha discusses criminal law bills amid opposition absence

    By Riya Baibhawi
    Dec 19, 2023
    09:56 pm

    What's the story

    Even as two-thirds of opposition members remain suspended from the Lok Sabha, the Centre on Tuesday took up three bills for discussion, which—if passed—will replace the existing criminal laws.

    The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills aim to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively.

    Opposition parties have accused the government of trying to "bulldoze" important legislation without proper debate.

    Context

    Why does this story matter?

    First introduced in August, the bills later underwent a review by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

    Last week, they were withdrawn, and revised editions were tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    They have now been brought forth for discussion in the Lower House amid the absence of the majority of opposition leaders.

    Earlier on Tuesday, 49 opposition MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha, pushing the total Parliament Winter Session suspensions to 142.

    Details

    Most draconian law, says opposition leader

    Suspended Congress MP Manish Tewari claimed the government had delegitimized the Parliament.

    Referring to the bills, he accused the Centre of creating "the framework of passing the most draconian law in Parliament, which will turn this country into a police state."

    Fellow suspended Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued the government was creating an opposition-free Lok Sabha with "no respect for parliamentary democracy."

    Their colleague Randeep Surjewala also accused the government of avoiding discussions on laws that hold them accountable.

    What Next?

    Government's stand on proposed criminal laws

    The government has said the proposed criminal laws are people-centric and designed to protect citizens' rights.

    Shah earlier stated that, unlike British-era laws, these three criminal law bills focus on providing justice rather than punishment. They include a broader definition of terrorism, besides the addition of "economic security."

    Shah rejected the Congress's Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's request to refer the bills to a joint select committee, citing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs had already reviewed them.

    Insights

    Opposition's call for consensus on bills

    Opposition parties—including the Congress, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC)—argue many sections of the bills are copied from old laws, maintaining the "colonial flavor" the government claims it wants to eliminate.

    They said these bills should be addressed after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Shah last month, urging him not to rush the proposed laws. She asked him to first build consensus on the same as they have significant implications for India's polity.

    Opposition

    IPC replacement bill omits section criminalizing non-consensual homosexual acts

    The proposed laws completely omit Section 377 of the IPC, mandate forensic investigation in cases involving punishments over seven years, and bring electronic evidence under the primary evidence category, among other provisions.

    Notably, Section 377 could be used to prosecute the rape of men, but its deletion from the proposed IPC replacement law has created a loophole.

    Meanwhile, a new offense of the "terrorist act" has also been introduced, which wasn't covered under the IPC.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Lok Sabha
    Parliament
    Indian Penal Code
    Ministry Of Home Affairs

    Latest

    Premium cars, private jet, ₹45cr mansion: Inside Nagarjuna's royal empire  Akkineni Nagarjuna
    'Wolf Man,' 'Hai Junoon!': Your OTT watchlist this week Amazon Prime Video
    IPL 2025 set to resume on May 17: Presenting details Indian Premier League (IPL)
    'No firing or aggressive action': India after talks with Pakistan   Indian Army

    Lok Sabha

    Women's Reservation Bill passed in Lok Sabha Amit Shah
    Women's Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha with 215-0 votes Parliament
    'Muslim ugrawadi,' 'bharwa': BJP MP abuses BSP MP in LS Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    Ethics Committee to hear complaint against Moitra on October 26 Mahua Moitra

    Parliament

    Will Mahua Moitra be disqualified from Parliament over cash-for-query row? Mahua Moitra
    Winter Session of Parliament to begin on December 4 Parliament Winter Session
    After Mahua Moitra row, Digital Sansad account access protocols changed Mahua Moitra
    Parliament Winter Session: Debate over cash-for-query row, Manipur likely Mahua Moitra

    Indian Penal Code

    Nuh violence: Curfew relaxed; banks, ATMs to reopen today Haryana
    Shiney Ahuja's passport renewal plea granted: Revisiting his legal battle shiney ahuja
    Repealing sedition: Amit Shah introduces bills to overhaul justice system Amit Shah
    Adultery, Section 377 dropped in proposed new IPC overhaul Lok Sabha

    Ministry Of Home Affairs

    In Queen Elizabeth's memory: India declares state mourning on Sunday London
    IT sleuths seized our phones, cloned data, claim Oxfam, IPSMF Election Commission of India (ECI)
    Queen Elizabeth II demise: Indian Tricolor flies half-mast in mourning United Kingdom
    Delhi LG approves CBI probe into purchase of DTC buses Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025