Central Govt Notifies Replacement of IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act with New Laws

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th July. The Central government has announced that references to the now-replaced Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), or Evidence Act in any statute, ordinance, regulation, or notification will be read as references to the new criminal justice laws: Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), respectively.

The notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Tuesday, was made under Section 8 of the General Clauses Act 1897. An official clarified that the notification reaffirms the provisions of the General Clauses Act, which addresses laws that are repealed and re-enacted.

“In pursuance of Section 8 of the General Clauses Act 1897, the Centre hereby notifies that any reference to the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 in any Act made by Parliament; Act made by the legislature of any state; ordinance; regulations made under Article 240 of the Constitution; President’s order; rules, regulations, order or notification made under any Act, ordinance, or regulation, in force at the time, shall respectively be read as a reference to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, or the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, and the corresponding provisions of such law shall be construed accordingly,” stated the notification.

On July 1, the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act were replaced by the BNS, BNSS, and BSA. The new laws introduce several progressive measures aimed at streamlining legal procedures and enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement. A notable provision is the introduction of Zero FIR, allowing individuals to file a First Information Report (FIR) at any police station, regardless of the crime’s location.