This is an archive article published on June 14, 2024
Three new criminal laws kick in from July 1, Delhi’s judges and lawyers gear up for changes
At court complexes, QR codes printed on A4 sheets can be found scattered for lawyers to scan so that they gain free access to reading material regarding the new laws.
From holding orientation programmes to handing out free reading material, Delhi’s judges and lawyers are gearing up for impending change in courtrooms come July 1 when the three new criminal laws will come into force.
Over their summer break, lawyers, public prosecutors and judicial officers will be reading about the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) which seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC); the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam which seeks to replace the Indian Evidence Act.
At courtrooms, QR codes printed on A4 sheets can be found scattered for lawyers to scan so that they gain free access to reading material regarding the new laws. The Delhi Judicial Academy, along with Delhi Bar Association, also held an orientation programme at the Tis Hazari Courts for five days in May to familiarise advocates with the new laws.
Overview of the criminal laws, a comparison with the older laws, the addition of new offences, trials in absentia, and rights of victims and accused were the main focus of the 10 sessions which spread out over five days.
“There are not many new offences, but the sequence of all the offences has been changed,” Delhi Bar Association President Nitin Ahlawat told The Indian Express, adding that educating lawyers was of utmost importance if the judiciary was to function effectively. He also said that every day, around 400 lawyers from across Delhi attended the sessions.
While there are many overlaps between the new and old laws, there are 33 offences in the new laws where period of imprisonment has increased. In 83, fines have increased and in 23 punishment has been made mandatory.
Additional offences include “mob lynching”, “hate crimes” and “sexual intercourse by deceitful means”. Along with these, “petty organised crimes” like snatching have been added.
Among other significant changes is conducting trial in absentia.
Story continues below this ad
As per the BNS, person accused of crime can be tried and convicted in his absence, as if he was present in court and has waived his right to a fair trial for all offences.
“… when a person declared as a proclaimed offender, whether or not charged jointly, has absconded to evade trial and there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, it shall be deemed to operate as a waiver of the right of such person to be present and tried in person, and the Court shall, after recording reasons in writing, in the interest of justice, proceed with the trial in the like manner and with like effect as if he was present…,” it says.
Trial in absentia cannot start the trial in such cases unless a period of 90 days has lapsed from the date of framing of the charge, it adds.
Along with lawyers, judicial officers were also provided with training by Justice Mukta Gupta and Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur at Delhi Judicial Academy in Dwarka.
Nirbhay Thakur is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express who primarily covers district courts in Delhi and has reported on the trials of many high-profile cases since 2023.
Professional Background
Education: Nirbhay is an economics graduate from Delhi University.
Beats: His reporting spans the trial courts, and he occasionally interviews ambassadors and has a keen interest in doing data stories.
Specializations: He has a specific interest in data stories related to courts.
Core Strength: Nirbhay is known for tracking long-running legal sagas and providing meticulous updates on high-profile criminal trials.
Recent notable articles
In 2025, he has written long form articles and two investigations. Along with breaking many court stories, he has also done various exclusive stories.
1) A long form on Surender Koli, accused in the Nithari serial killings of 2006. He was acquitted after spending 2 decades in jail. was a branded man. Deemed the “cannibal" who allegedly lured children to his employer’s house in Noida, murdered them, and “ate their flesh” – his actions cited were cited as evidence of human depravity at its worst. However, the SC acquitted him finding various lapses in the investigation. The Indian Express spoke to his lawyers and traced the 2 decades journey.
2) For decades, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been at the forefront of the Government’s national rankings, placed at No. 2 over the past two years alone. It has also been the crucible of campus activism, its protests often spilling into national debates, its student leaders going on to become the faces and voices of political parties of all hues and thoughts. The Indian Express looked at all court cases spanning over two decades and did an investigation.
3) Investigation on the 700 Delhi riots cases. The Indian Express found that in 17 of 93 acquittals (which amounted to 85% of the decided cases) in Delhi riots cases, courts red-flag ‘fabricated’ evidence and pulled up the police.
Signature Style
Nirbhay’s writing is characterized by its procedural depth. He excels at summarizing 400-page chargesheets and complex court orders into digestible news for the general public.
X (Twitter): @Nirbhaya99 ... Read More
