Laws

Conviction rate to go up with new criminal laws, says HM Amit Shah

The conviction rate will go up with the implementation of the new criminal laws that will then lead to a drop in crimes, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday. The biggest feature of the new criminal laws is that their soul is Indian and their objective is to provide justice, he further said. Shah was addressing a gathering at an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws. The new laws -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- came into effect on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Chandigarh has become the country's first administrative unit to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the three laws. After the implementation of the new laws, justice will be ensured in less time, the conviction rate will be higher and, because of that, the crime

Need to make laws more strict to curb vulgarity on social media: Vaishnaw

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said there is a need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media platforms. Speaking in Lok Sabha, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said the Parliamentary Standing Committee should take up the issue and also called for a consensus to frame more strict laws in this regard. Earlier, there were editorial checks and it was decided whether something was right or wrong, but those checks have ended. Today, social media is a platform for the freedom of press but it is uncontrolled and there is vulgar content, the minister said during the Question Hour. There is a need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media platforms, Vaishnaw said amid din in the House. He was responding to questions by BJP member Arun Govil about existing mechanisms to check the illegal telecast of vulgar and sex-related content through social media platforms and whether the government proposes to mak

Public participation needed in formulation of laws, policies: Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday said that there is a need for bigger public participation in formulations of laws and public policies in this era of information technology. He appealed to all citizens to express their views and suggestions whenever a new law is put in public domain because the laws once implemented have a long-term impact on people, state and entire country. "Though public participation is there in formulation of laws and policies, I feel it inadequate and there is a need to enhance it," Birla said while inaugurating the KIIT School of Public Policy here. He advocated for citizen-centric policies that involve all stakeholders, ensure equal rights and are answerable to the people. Speaking to an audience of academicians, policymakers, judges and students, Birla emphasized the importance of public policy in shaping the future of the country. The public policies should be formulated in such a way that all sections of the society are equally treated, he said. Th

Marital rape: SC to decide validity of laws granting immunity to husbands

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will decide the constitutional validity of penal provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which grant immunity from prosecution to a husband for the offence of rape if he forces his wife, who is not a minor, to have sex with him. A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra sought views of the petitioners on Centre's contention that making such acts punishable would severely impact the conjugal relationship and cause serious disturbances in the institution of marriage. Senior advocate Karuna Nundy, appearing for one of the petitioners, opened the arguments and referred to the provisions of the IPC and BNS on marital rape. "It is a constitutional question. There are two judgments before us and we have to decide. The core issue is of the constitutional validity (of the penal provisions)," the CJI said. Nundy said the court must strike down a provision, which wa

Justice will no longer be 'blind': Supreme Court embraces new symbolism

The blindfold, long associated with impartiality and equality before the law, has been replaced with open eyes

Probe can't be thwarted by quashing FIR if prima facie case evident: SC

The Supreme Court has said when a First Information Report (FIR) alleges dishonest conduct by an accused and materials disclose commission of a cognisable offence then the investigation cannot be thwarted by quashing the FIR. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it was trite law that an FIR was not an encyclopedia of all imputations. It further observed that while deciding if a criminal proceeding or an FIR should be quashed at the very threshold, the allegations in the FIR, including the materials collected during investigation, should be taken at face value to determine whether or not a prima facie case against the accused for investigation was made out. "Thus, when the FIR alleges dishonest conduct on the part of the accused which, if supported by materials, would disclose commission of a cognisable offence, the investigation should not be thwarted by quashing the FIR," the bench said in its verdict pronounced on October 14. The top court's decision came on an .

Clear laws, SOPs needed to protect workers, manufacturers' interests: GTRI

The government needs to focus on formulating clear laws, and standard operating procedures to protect workers and interests of companies to foster a more stable industrial environment in the country, economic think tank GTRI has suggested. It also said that to reduce industrial strikes, India must prioritize protecting workers' rights while maintaining industrial stability and there is an urgent need to take steps to help address labour disputes before they escalate into strikes. "Industrial strikes have led to factory closures and job losses in India for decades," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding that the strike by over 1,000 workers at Samsung's Sriperumbudur factory in Tamil Nadu since September 9 is not an isolated event. He suggested seven steps that includes enforcement of labour laws, setting up mediation systems, union-management dialogue, legal framework for labour compliance, collaboration between centre and states on the subject, and intelligence to detect ...

SC refuses plea for curbing noise pollution, laser beams at public events

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea for curbing noise pollution and unregulated use of laser beams during festivals in Maharashtra. While rejecting the petition, the top court noted festivals like Ganapati puja' are over in the state and, moreover, the Bombay High Court has already permitted filing of representations to the officials concerned in cases of violation of the judgement on the issue. On Tuesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing a plea filed by Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat' seeking directions to regulate use of laser beams and loudspeakers at public functions including religious festivals. The high court, on April 20, disposed of a PIL seeking directions to curb unregulated use of laser beams and loudspeakers at public events and said those aggrieved can approach the authorities concerned. "You move a representation, the bench said, adding that if the petitioner is dissatisfied, it may

Laws strong enough, implement in letter, spirit: Centre to Mamata

Union Minister Annapurna Devi on Friday asserted that existing laws were stringent enough to tackle violence and crimes against women and urged the West Bengal government to implement the same in "letter and spirit". In a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the second in a week, Devi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, said the state government has not operationalised additional 11 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) to specifically deal with cases of rape and POCSO cases. Devi said West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme. Banerjee on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. Banerjee, who wrote to Modi a few days ago on the issue following nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R

Effective policing required to make India third largest economy: Home secy

Effective policing, effective law and order, and effective action against crimes and criminals are necessary for India to become the third largest economy in the world, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan said Wednesday. Delivering Dr Anandswarup Gupta Memorial Lecture on the 54th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) as the chief guest, he said the role of the organisation in police modernisation and upgradation is of paramount importance. The home secretary said BPR&D is the only Central Police Organisation that connects all other police organisations and police forces of states and Union territories through its role as the think tank of the Indian police, for the promotion of excellence in policing through research, modernisation, training, and capacity building. He lauded BPR&D's efforts in training and publicity for the implementation of the new criminal laws, which have resulted in the training of more than nine lakh stakeholders ...

Govt mulls stricter penalties for misuse of national emblems, names

The Union government is considering significant amendments to the Names and Emblem (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, to strengthen the law and deter violations. Sources within the government said the proposed changes include substantial increases in fines and the introduction of imprisonment for offenders. Under the current law, violators face a mere Rs 500 penalty for improper use of certain emblems and names, as stipulated in Section 3 of the Act. The Act prohibits use of Names and Emblems for trade, business or profession or in the title of any patent or in any trademark, design or any name or emblem specified in the schedule of the Act without permission of the central government. The Consumer Affairs Ministry, which is spearheading the amendment process, aims to bolster the Act's enforcement capabilities. According to sources, the ministry has proposed raising the fine to Rs 1 lakh for first-time offenders. Repeat violators could face penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh and a

Crimes against women unpardonable sin, says PM Modi in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is strengthening laws to provide for stringent punishment for crimes against women. Addressing a Lakhpati Didi rally at Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, Modi also said his government has done more for women in the last 10 years than was done by all the previous regimes since Independence. Till 2014, less than Rs 25,000 crore loans were given to women self-help groups but in the last 10 years, Rs 9 lakh crore help was given, Modi said. Modi, who interacted with Lakhpati Didis at Jalgaon, released the Rs 2,500 crore revolving fund benefiting 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh self-help groups. The Lakhpati Didi scheme is not only about boosting the income of women, but also about empowering future generations, Modi said. You must have heard that India is going to become the third-largest economy in the world. Women play a huge role in it. However, it wasn't the case a couple of years ago, Modi said. Women guarantee the prosperity of

Assam CM Himanta welcomes new criminal laws, seeks cooperation for rollout

Welcoming the implementation of the new criminal laws in the country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the state has made "extensive preparations" for this day and appealed to all concerned to cooperate in this endeavour. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) have replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act respectively, Sarma said in a post on X. "Today marks a watershed moment in Bharat's criminal justice system... With this, our republic has entered into a new system pivoted around modern technology and citizen-centric services," he added. The Chief Minister asserted that the new laws place utmost primacy on the safety of women, children, and the underprivileged. "Over the last many months, Team Assam has made extensive preparations towards the effective implementation of the new laws," he added. Sarma appealed to all ...

All measures in place to implement new criminal laws in T'gana: Official

Telangana has put in place all necessary measures to implement the three new criminal laws -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam --, which are to come into force from July 1, a senior official said. The official also said the translation process of these new legislations is also at the advanced stage and is expected to be completed before July 1. Notification drafts are ready, and they will be notified in the next couple of days for smooth implementation of the new laws, he said. Teams have been constituted at various levels to see that these new laws are implemented as per the plan given by the Central government which has fixed July 1 as the date for implementation of the new laws and the state is ready (for the implementation of these new legislations), he said. "Notification drafts have been prepared and in the next few days it will be notified so that the new laws are in operation from July 1. We are going ahead as per

When law is set in motion, some take to streets: Vice President Dhankhar

Taking an apparent swipe at the opposition, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar asserted on Friday that those who thought they were beyond the system are now being held accountable, saying some people hit the streets when the law is set in motion. He also wondered as to how one engaging in transgression of law plays the victim card. "People are playing," he said. His remarks come against the backdrop of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) rally here on Sunday being held to protest the alleged misuse of the central agencies by the ruling BJP and the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy "scam". Several INDIA bloc leaders are expected to attend the rally. Separately, the Congress has accused the BJP-led central government of misusing institutions like the income-tax department, the ED and the CBI to subvert democracy. It has said the party has received fresh notices from the income-tax ...

Laws framed today will further strengthen India of tomorrow: PM Modi

'Today's economic policies of India will form the basis of tomorrow's bright India. The laws being made in India today will further strengthen tomorrow's bright India,' the prime minister said

Property tax payment rules to be amended: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar

While the government will bring in reforms, it is important that people also pay taxes promptly as per the properties they own, he added

Test for Opposition: How many of BJP govt's laws will it undo if elected?

If the Opposition wants to offer a different approach to political and economic issues, could it spell out the action it would take on the Bills that were passed despite its opposition, asks T N Ninan

Marrying woman by concealing identity to be crime under proposed law: Shah

Marrying a woman by concealing identity or having intercourse under false promise of marriage, promotion and employment will be treated as crime for the first time under the proposed law that will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday. Introducing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill, which will replace the IPC of 1860, Shah said a special focus has been given to provisions related to crimes against women. "Crime against women and many social problems faced by them have been addressed in this bill. For the first time, intercourse with women under the false promise of marriage, employment, promotion and false identity will amount to a crime," he said. While courts have dealt with cases of women claiming rape on the basis of breach of promise of marriage, there is no specific provision for this in the IPC. The bill, which will now be examined by a Standing Committee, states: "Whoever, by deceitful means or making by promise to marry to a

Govt's relationship with media platform is simply via prism of laws: MoS IT

The government's relationship with any social media platform is simply through the prism of compliance of law and rules, and therefore there is nothing personal or adversarial against one platform or the other, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said. The platforms have to respect the Indian laws, the Minister of State for IT and Electronics asserted. Chandrasekhar, who was speaking at the inaugural edition of FinancialExpress.com's Digital Bharat Economy Conclave 2023 on Wednesday, made it clear that the government's relationship with any social media platform is simply through the prism of compliance of law and rules, and thus there is nothing personal or adversarial against one platform or the other. "But we certainly and consistently ask from these platforms to respect the Indian laws," he said. The minister also rebuffed claims of an alleged data breach of the CoWin platform (the Covid vaccination portal). "I would like to emphasise that there was no breach of the CoWin