The government has introduced a bill for the complete overhaul of colonial-era Indian criminal laws.
The Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will replace the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Bharatiya Sakshya will replace Indian Evidence Act.
A new offence on acts of secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities or endangering sovereignty or unity and integrity of India has been added in the revised laws.
The new bill prioritises laws for crimes against women and children, murders and “offences against the state”.
For the first time, community service will be one of the punishments for petty offences.
Also, offences have been made gender neutral. In order to deal effectively with the problem of organised crimes and terrorist activities, new offences of terrorist acts and organised crime have been added with deterrent punishments.
The fines and punishment for various offences have also been enhanced.
It seeks to revamp British-era laws, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told parliament.
The Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860.
With inputs from NDTV
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