Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the passage of three criminal justice bills, attributing it to the end of colonial-era laws, marking the beginning of a new era focused on public service and welfare. The three Bills, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill (BNSS), 2023; the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill (BSS), 2023; and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita (BNSSS) Bill, 2023, were passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday evening. Lok Sabha had cleared the three Bills on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said that these Bills target organised crime, terrorism, and similar offences, which impede our peaceful progress. “Through them, we bid goodbye to outdated sections on sedition,” he said.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2023

“The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare,” he posted on X.

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“These transformative Bills are a testament to India’s commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections of our society,” the post further read.

These transformative Bills are a testament to India’s commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2023

Sharing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech, he mentioned, “In our Amrit Kaal, these legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy driven. These speeches by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji further elaborate on the key features of these Bills.”

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Shah highlighted on Wednesday that the implementation of the three new criminal law bills is poised to revolutionise India’s criminal justice system and liberate citizens from the colonial-era mindset.

While introducing these new criminal bills, the Home Minister stressed that the core objective of these laws is to safeguard citizens’ rights as enshrined in the Constitution. “The objective will not be to punish anyone but to give justice and in this process punishment will be given where it is required to create a sense of prevention of crime,” he said.

During Wednesday’s session, the Lok Sabha passed the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill (BNSS), 2023; the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill (BSS), 2023; and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita (BNSSS) Bill, 2023. These bills are set to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Indian Evidence Act, 1872; and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, respectively. The Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.