"Justice for both complainant as well as accused": BCI Chairman hails Centre's move to implement new criminal laws

New Delhi [India], April 14 (ANI): Bar Council of India Chairman and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra on Monday hailed the centre's move to implement new criminal laws, calling it a transformative step toward delivering timely and fair justice in India, replacing colonial-era laws.
"This will be a major change, and like he said, there will be justice for both the complainant and the accused. There will be no injustice, there will be swift justice. Courts, too, would find it convenient to deliver justice," said Mishra.
He also highlighted the Centre's plan to establish a Forensic Science University in every state, as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Forensic experts will be required to visit all crime scenes, ensuring thorough investigations.
"This is a major change. Through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India established the Forensic Science University, and this has to be done in every state, as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. So, this will be a major change," he said.
The Indian government has introduced new criminal laws, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSSS), 2023, replacing colonial-era laws.
Mishra emphasized the compulsory role of forensic experts at crime scenes under the new legal framework. "He said that 'all forensic experts are being arranged at all crime scenes, that it will be compulsory for them to go there.' So, I think that in the days to come, there is going to be a massive change in the criminal justice system," he added.
He further stated that the reforms will bring global standards to India's justice delivery saying, "I think across the world, for swift justice in criminal justice and to ensure that no criminal goes scot-free and no complaint harasses someone through false complaint, it will be a huge achievement through this," he said.
The BNS introduces community service as a punishment for petty offenses, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The laws prescribe harsher penalties for serious crimes, such as: Mob Lynching: Minimum 7 years of imprisonment for murder and grievous hurt caused by a group of five or more people based on social profiling; Hit-and-Run Cases: Imprisonment up to 10 years for rash or negligent acts resulting in death, with the perpetrator fleeing the scene and Organized Crime and Terrorism: Deterrent punishments for organized crime and terrorist acts, including life imprisonment or death.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday highlighted the transformative steps being taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to modernize India's criminal justice system.
Speaking at the All India Forensic Summit, Shah underlined the importance of timely justice, the rising role of forensic science in countering terrorism, and the significance of the three newly introduced criminal laws, calling them the "biggest reform of the 21st century".
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are striving to ensure that those who seek justice receive it promptly and that the outcome is satisfying. Our main goal is to build a secure, capable, and empowered India," Home Minister Shah said.
"The Government of India has introduced three new laws aimed at strengthening the criminal justice system. This summit has been organized to discuss two key aspects: the effective implementation of these new laws and the future role of forensic science in countering terrorism," Shah added.
Further, the Union Home Minister emphasized that in today's world, timely justice and improving the conviction rate are impossible without the support of forensic science.
"The nature of crime has changed significantly -- criminals are now using technology and modern communication tools, making crime borderless. Earlier, crimes were mostly confined to districts, cities, or countries, but now, they have no boundaries. That's why the importance of forensic science has increased," Amit Shah said.
"Prime Minister Modi had recognized this early on. In 2009, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he proposed in the cabinet the creation of a Forensic Science University in Gujarat -- a foundation that would support the country's criminal justice system for the next 50 years," he highlighted.
Shah also mentioned that PM Modi's vision has transformed the landscape of India's criminal justice system. "If we are to ensure that even those accused do not face injustice, while also protecting the rights of victims, then forensic science must become an integral part of the criminal justice system," he said.
The Union Home Minister also mentioned that laws that have not been updated fail to fulfill their purpose.
"The three old laws were not made to deliver justice to citizens but to maintain the rule of the British government. The three new laws introduced by Prime Minister Modi are made by the citizens, for the citizens, and to protect their rights. This is the biggest reform of the 21st century," Shah emphasized. (ANI)