New criminal laws get Parliament nod, Rajya Sabha passes bills with voice vote
Lok Sabha had approved these on Wednesday.
The bills that repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act will usher in a new era in the criminal justice system, Home Minister Amit Shah said while replying to a debate in the Upper House of Parliament.
The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills will now go to the president for her assent, upon which these will become laws.
Just like in the Lok Sabha, the legislations were passed in the Rajya Sabha in the absence of most opposition MPs, who were suspended for unruly behaviour while pressing for a discussion on the December 13 security breach in Parliament.
Replying to the debate, Shah said once the new criminal laws are implemented, the entire process from FIR to judgment will be online.
Their implementation will ensure the end of the 'tareekh-pe-tareek'-era and justice will be delivered in three years, he said.
Elaborating on the new provisions, Shah said terrorism has been defined and mob lynching made punishable with capital punishment.
Also, stringent punishment has been prescribed for those who work against the country, he said.
The absence of the opposition Congress did not stop him from taking a swipe at the party, with Shah saying those who wear «Italian glasses» cannot feel the pride in the Indian Parliament framing the new criminal laws.
His jibe was directed at the party's former chief Sonia Gandhi, who is of Italian descent.
Shah said the bills had perhaps the widest consultations ever and 72 per cent of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee which scrutinised the bills were accepted.
«We were charged
