India Revamps Outdated Criminal Laws to Enhance Justice System
Los Angeles/July 02, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh
India has enacted new legislation to replace colonial-era criminal laws, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government asserting that these changes will bring more justice. However, the opposition contends that the reforms could destabilize the criminal justice system.
The new laws, passed by parliament in Modi's previous term last December, aim to "deliver justice rather than punishment," according to the government. They argue that the colonial laws have been the backbone of the criminal justice system for over a century.
One of the major revisions includes the elimination of the sedition law, historically used under British rule to imprison Indian freedom fighters. This law is now replaced with provisions addressing acts that "threaten the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India."
"After 77 years of independence, our criminal justice system is becoming wholly indigenous and reflective of Indian values," stated India's Home Minister Amit Shah. "The emphasis will now be on justice rather than punishment."
Shah noted that criminal cases filed under the old laws before Monday will still be governed by those laws. He added that the first case under the new law, a motorcycle theft in Gwalior, was registered 10 minutes after midnight.
Amit Shah said:
"The laws were debated for three months... It is unjust to politicize this significant progress after centuries. I urge the opposition to support this legislation,"
Opposition Congress party member P. Chidambaram criticized the previous parliamentary session for lacking meaningful debate before passing the new laws. He suggested that the new laws offer only minor improvements, which could have been addressed through amendments to the existing laws.
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