Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Challenging New Criminal Laws, Says They're Not Even In Force

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 26)  dismissed a PIL challenging the new criminal laws enacted by the Parliament to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The bench led by the Chief Justice of India noted that the laws were not in force, and asked what was the locus of the petitioner, who was appearing virtually as a party-in-person.

"What is your locus to challenge the three new criminal laws? They are not even in force. Dismissed", CJI DY Chandrachud said. The petition was filed by a Chennai resident named T Sivagnanasambandan. Notably, the petition was filed on January 6, 2024, much before the laws were notified. 

It may be noted that on February 24, the Union Government notified that the new laws will come into force from July 1, 2024.