2 min readNew DelhiJul 1, 2024 08:36 PM IST
First published on: Jul 1, 2024 at 05:09 PM IST
The three new criminal laws came into effect on Monday (July 1). The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) will replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC); the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) will replace the Indian Penal Code; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will replace the Indian Evidence Act.
Passed in parliament last year, the government billed it as an effort to remove colonial influences on India’s legal system. Home Minister Amit Shah said last year that the “purpose of older laws” brought in by the British “was to strengthen the British rule”. “Its purpose was to punish, not to dispense justice,” he added.
“After nearly 150 years, the three new criminal laws are being brought with entirely new perspectives and provisions with a purpose to eliminate the delays in the criminal justice system… we will not see any colonial influence, and they will resonate with the essence of Indian soil, at the core of these (Bills) is the protection of the constitutional rights, human rights, and the self-defence of Indian citizens,” Shah said.
The BNS has 358 sections, compared to the 511 in the IPC. Therefore, the longstanding numbering of many criminal charges listed in the IPC has changed. For instance, Section 420, which defined cheating, led to the number ‘420’ becoming a catchall and commonly used term for such crimes. It is now listed as Section 318 in the BNS. Here is a list of some major criminal charges and how they are numbered in the BNS.
- 01
Punishment for murder
Previously Section 302 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 02
Attempt to murder
Previously Section 307 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 03
Rape
Previously Section 375 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 04
Gang rape
Previously Section 376D in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 70 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 05
Cruelty against a married woman
Previously Section 498A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 06
Dowry death
Previously Section 304B in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 07
Sexual harassment
Previously Section 354A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 08
Outraging the modesty of a woman
Previously Section 354 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 09
Criminal intimidation
Previously Section 503 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 10
Defamation
Previously Section 499 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 11
Cheating
Previously Section 420 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 12
Criminal Conspiracy
Previously Section 120A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 13
Sedition
Previously Section 124A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 14
Promoting enmity between different groups
Previously Section 153A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 15
Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration
Previously Section 153B in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 16
Statements conducing to public mischief
Previously Section 505 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- 17
Public nuisance
Previously Section 268 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
A poster depicting the implementation of three new criminal laws being put up by Delhi Police to raise awareness, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary) 
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