Mob lynching invites death penalty under new criminal law, says Amit Shah

Lok Sabha clears three Bills to replace British-era criminal codes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

New Delhi – While replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on the three criminal code bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that under the new criminal laws, the Government has included a provision for the death penalty for those committing the crime of mob lynching. The  Lok Sabha passed the three criminal laws.  The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill on Wednesday.

He also said that these Bills have been introduced to amend the criminal laws. Amit Shah said that the new laws will free us from the mentality of slavery. The criminal justice system is about to change. Earlier the Criminal Code had 484 Sections, now it will have 531 sections. 177 Sections of the code have been amended and 9 new Sections have been added. 39 new subdivisions have been added. 44 new provisions have been added. All the three Acts are of British era. The old laws were made for oppression.

There will be a change to the laws

Amit Shah said that the purpose of ‘Indian Penal Code’ made in the year 1860 was not to give justice, but to give punishment. This Act shall be replaced by the ‘Indian Judicial Code, 2023’after the assent of the House and shall apply throughout the country. Also, after the consent of this House, the CRPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) will be replaced by then Indian Civil Protection Code, 2023. Further, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 shall be replaced by the Indian Evidence Bill, 2023.

To define terrorism in law

Amit Shah further said that till now there was no definition of terrorism in any law. Now, for the first time, the Government is going to explain terrorism, so that no one takes advantage of the loophole in the law. Whoever harms the country will never be spared. The laws define a terrorist as the one who commits any act in India or in any foreign country with intention to threaten the unity, integrity and security of India, to intimidate the general public or a segment thereof or to disturb public order.

Editorial Perspective

The changes made by the Government in the three laws are commendable. It took 75 years for the country to change the British laws is shameful for all party Governments who have ruled in the past.