The Union government has put forth a proposal to broaden the definition of a “terrorist act” within the penal law, encompassing threats to the “economic security” and “monetary stability” of the country. The revised Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, 2023, presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha, aims to replace the outdated Indian Penal Code (IPC). The proposed changes also introduce new provisions addressing “cruelty” against women in marital relationships and penalties for publishing court proceedings that could reveal the identity of a rape victim.
Notably, the government’s proposal did not incorporate a parliamentary panel’s suggestion to introduce a gender-neutral provision criminalizing adultery or a separate clause criminalizing non-consensual gay sex. Alongside the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, Shah introduced two additional updated criminal law bills, namely Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, which are intended to replace the Indian Evidence Act and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), respectively. These bills are scheduled for debate on Thursday.
Initially introduced by the government in August, the three criminal law bills underwent review by the parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs. Shah withdrew the original bills on Monday and reintroduced modified versions that incorporated the panel’s recommendations. The proposed amendments underscore the government’s commitment to addressing evolving challenges and strengthening the legal framework to ensure national security and the well-being of its citizens.
