New Criminal Laws Replacing IPC, CrPC & Evidence Act To Come Into Force From July 1, 2024

The Union Government has notified that the new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam- will come into effect from July 1,2024.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued three notifications today regarding the date of commencement of these three laws. At the same time, the Centre has put on hold implementation of Sub Section (2) of Section 106 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the specific provision relates to 'causing death of a person by rash and negligent driving of a vehicle'. It may be noted that there were widespread protests by truckers against this provision.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 1st day of July, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Sanhita, except the provision of sub-section (2) of section 106, shall come into force," the MHA notification read.

These laws, which repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act respectively, were passed by the Parliament on December 21, 2023. They received the assent of the President on December 25, 2023. However, the statutes mentioned that they will come into force only from the date appointed by the Union Government.