FROM today onwards, historical changes are set to reshape India’s legal framework with the introduction of three new laws replacing colonial-era criminal laws. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Act (BSA) will supersede existing laws and mark an important shift in the country’s legal landscape. The decision, finalised by the Central Government last year and effective from today, aims to modernise and streamline criminal justice procedures.

 

Under these new laws, all the familiar sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be reclassified. For instance, cases of murder will now be registered under Section 103 (1) of the BNS and replace Section 302 of the IPC. Similarly, robbery cases will be identified under Section 310 of the BNS, instead of the current Section 392. To prepare for this transition, intensive training programmes have been conducted for personnel of Nagpur City police and Nagpur Rural Police. These efforts are crucial as judges, lawyers, and police personnel must familiarise themselves with the revised legal frameworks to ensure effective implementation. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal said that almost all police personnel of City Police have been imparted training of the new laws.

 

The training officials will be available for the police personnel on the telephone to solve their issues during the implemention, he said. He also said that the objective of the new laws is to enhance justice delivery. The BNS, for instance, includes 20 categories and 385 sections, with 12 new sections introduced and penalties heightened in 30 cases compared to the IPC. Superintendent of Police (SP) Nagpur Rural Dr Harssh Poddar said that the new laws would be implemented frommidnight, and for this, almost96 percent of NagpurRural police personnel havebeen trained. “Various eventswill be organised at policestation levels for public awareness to inform about crimesagainst women and adopt avictim-oriented approach,” hesaid.