Welcome to the Indian Criminal Law Hub—your ultimate destination for all things related to Indian criminal law. From 1 July 2024, three new criminal laws, the “Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” the “Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,” and the “Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,” have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.
Criminal law in India is all about rules that define what actions are considered crimes and what punishments should be given for those crimes. It’s like a guidebook that helps keep society safe and fair. There are 4 main parts to Indian criminal law:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): This is the main law that lists different types of crimes, like theft, murder, and cheating, and the punishments for each. Think of it as a catalog of crimes.
- Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS): This law explains how the legal process works when someone is accused of a crime. It covers things like how police should investigate, how trials should be conducted, and the rights of the accused.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA): This law tells what kind of evidence (proof) can be used in court to prove whether someone is guilty or innocent.
- Special Laws: In addition to the BNS, there are special laws for specific issues, like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which deal with corruption and drug-related crimes respectively.
Understanding criminal law helps you know your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. It also gives you insight into how the justice system works to protect people and maintain order in society.