Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 - Overview And FAQ

The BNS, 2023 is a comprehensive legislation enacted to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. It modernizes India's criminal justice system by defining offences and prescribing punishments, focusing on justice, victim protection, and addressing contemporary challenges.

The BNS was enacted on December 25, 2023, and came into force on July 1, 2024.

The BNS seeks to:

• Modernize criminal laws to address issues like cybercrime, terrorism, and organized crime.
• Enhance victim protection and introduce community service as a punishment.
• Simplify and consolidate offences for clarity and relevance.
• Balance stringent punishments with individual rights for fair justice.

The BNS introduces specific provisions for emerging crimes such as mob lynching, hate crimes, and terrorism, with clear definitions and enhanced punishments to address these contemporary challenges.

Community service is a new form of punishment introduced for minor offences, allowing offenders to perform tasks like cleaning public spaces or working for community welfare, promoting restorative justice.

The BNS includes provisions for victim compensation and enhanced protections, particularly for women and children, ensuring a victim-centric approach to justice.

Yes, the BNS reforms laws related to sexual offences to be more inclusive, making certain provisions gender-neutral to ensure fair application across all genders.

The BNS includes specific provisions defining terrorism and prescribing stringent punishments to deter and address acts threatening national security.

Mob lynching is treated as a distinct offence under the BNS, with severe punishments, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity of the crime.

The BNS introduces provisions to tackle cybercrimes, including hacking, identity theft, and online fraud, with specific penalties to address digital offences.

Victims of crimes, particularly women and children, can claim compensation under the BNS to support their rehabilitation and recovery.

Concerns include:

• Potential misuse of stringent provisions like those for terrorism.
• Balancing enhanced punishments with individual rights.
• Ensuring effective implementation to prevent judicial delays.

Proper safeguards and oversight are crucial for fair application.

The BNS introduces stricter penalties for crimes against women and children, including sexual offences, and emphasizes victim compensation and support mechanisms.

The full text, including all sections and details, is available on websites like indialawacts.in.

COMPARISON SUMMARY IPC to BNS, including all sections and details, is available on websites like indialawacts.in.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective from July 1, 2024, replaces the IPC and defines criminal offences and punishments. With 20 chapters, it modernizes criminal law.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective from July 1, 2024, replaces the IPC and defines criminal offences and punishments. With 358 sections across 20 chapters, it modernizes criminal law.