The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) organized an awareness campaign focused on India’s upcoming overhaul of its criminal codes. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the Institute’s Legal Cell hosted the initiative to raise awareness about the new criminal laws.
The imminent changes, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, will replace the long-standing Indian Penal Code, 1860. Additionally, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, will supersede the existing Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, while the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will take the place of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. These legislative revisions are tailored to address contemporary issues in India, such as cybercrime, social justice, and modern evidence procedures. The new laws aim to simplify legal language, streamline processes, and enhance victim rights, while also working to decolonize the legal framework. These changes are slated to come into effect on July 1, 2024.
The campaign was headed by Shri Prakalpa Sharma, Deputy Registrar (Legal) at IITK, and was inaugurated by Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IIT Kanpur, along with Shri Vishwa Ranjan, Registrar of IITK. The event raised awareness and facilitated understanding of the upcoming legal transformations.