Will Convey Concerns About New Criminal Laws To Union Govt, Refrain From Protests : BCI To Bar Associations

The Bar Council of India has appealed to all Bar Associations to refrain from protests and agitations against new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyay Sanhiya, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bhratiya Sakshya Adhiniyam- which are set to take effect from July 1.

These laws repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.

The BCI said that it has received representations from several Bar Associations and State Bar Councils expressing concerns about many provisions of the new laws. Many Bar Associations also signalled their intention to launch agitations against the laws. Notable legal luminaries such as Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Mukul Rohatgi, Vivek Thankha, P Wilson, Dushyant Dave, Indira Jaising and several others have also voiced their strong opposition to these laws, the BCI noted.

The BCI assured the legal fraternity that it will take up the issues seriously and will convey the concerns of the lawyers to the Union Home Ministry and the Union Law Ministry.

The BCI said that it will seek the intervention of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to mediate the matter as he himself is an advocate.

The BCI requested all Bar Associations and Senior Advocates to specify the new provisions which are regarded as unconstitutional or detrimental.

”Upon receiving specific suggestions from Bar Associations, the BCI will constitute a committee comprising noted Senior Advocates, former Judges, social activists and journalists to propose necessary amendments to the new laws,” the BCI Secretary Srimanto Sen stated.