New Criminal Laws Will Take Effect From July 1 : Union Law Minister

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal made it clear that Central Government was not reconsidering the decision to implement the new criminal laws from July 1,2024. He reiterated that the laws replacing the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Indian Evidence Act 1872 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 will come into force from July 1.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Meghwal said :

“From July 1, all three laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Act will replace Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. Looking at the current situation, there are many innovative ideas in these three laws.”

The laws were passed by the Parliament in December 2023. Though they received the assent of the President the same month, they did not come into force since the Centre deferred their notification.

On February 25, the Centre notified July 1 as the date on which these laws will take force.

Recently, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising had written to the Law Minister requesting that the laws be kept on hold. Several lawyers and academics have raised concerns about the new laws.