- By Ritesh Kumar
- Tue, 20 Feb 2024 01:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Higher education institutions (HEIs) and universities around the country have been instructed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to educate the public about the new criminal laws and dispel "myths" surrounding them. The UGC listed several "myths," including the following: that the new laws "threaten" individual freedom and aim to establish a "police state", that sedition provisions have been retained under 'Deshdroh' and that these legislations enable "police torture". The UGC has also sent flayers outlining these misconceptions and reality in its correspondence with universities and HEIs.
"The Higher Educational Institutions have been requested to publicise the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 around the themes contained in the flyers and by carrying out campaigns by way of displays through standees, distributing flyers and organizing seminars and talks by lawyers, judges both serving and retired and their respective faculties in their institutions," Manish Joshi, UGC Secretary said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
During the Winter Session, both Houses of Parliament passed The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Following the assent from President Droupadi Murmu, these bills were enacted into law. They will replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) respectively.
In its flyers the UGC has mentioned the following "myths": "The new criminal laws threaten individual freedom, aim to establish a police state; (they) are mere repackaging of existing draconian provisions; the extension of custody from 15 to 90 days in the new criminal laws is a shocking provision enabling police torture; sedition is gone, but appears as 'Deshdroh' in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and harsh punishment in hit-and-run cases under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023".
Also Read: CSIR UGC NET December 2023 Result Declared At csirhrdg.res.in; Get PDF Link Here
In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 20 new offences have been incorporated, while 19 provisions from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been eliminated. The punishment of imprisonment has been heightened in 33 offences, 83 the punishment of fine has been enhanced, while in 23 the mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced, and in six offences the punishment of 'community service' has been introduced. Noteworthy amendments in the new criminal laws involve defining 'child,' incorporating transgender individuals into the definition of 'gender,' integrating electronic and digital records into the definition of a 'document,' and broadening the definition of 'movable' to encompass property of all kinds.
The introduction of new chapters focusing on offences against women and children, as well as 'inchoate offences' such as attempt, abetment, and conspiracy. Moreover, beggary has been identified as a form of exploitation for trafficking. Further, newly included offences encompass organised crime, terrorist acts, petty organised crime, hit-and-run incidents, mob lynching, hiring children to commit offences, sexual exploitation of women through deceitful means, snatching, abetment outside India, actions endangering the sovereignty, integrity, and unity of India, and the dissemination of false or fake news.