0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views2 pages

Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023 Overview

The document summarizes major changes introduced by the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 (BNS) which aims to replace the Indian Penal Code. Some key changes include: 1) The BNS introduces new offenses for mob lynching, promise to marry by deceit, organized crime, terrorism, fake news, and sedition. 2) It provides punishment for mob lynching of up to death penalty or life imprisonment. 3) Organized crime is expanded and punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines. Petty organized crimes like theft are also covered. 4) Terrorism, sedition, fake news, and attempt to suicide to influence officials are

Uploaded by

wiwexid940
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views2 pages

Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023 Overview

The document summarizes major changes introduced by the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 (BNS) which aims to replace the Indian Penal Code. Some key changes include: 1) The BNS introduces new offenses for mob lynching, promise to marry by deceit, organized crime, terrorism, fake news, and sedition. 2) It provides punishment for mob lynching of up to death penalty or life imprisonment. 3) Organized crime is expanded and punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines. Petty organized crimes like theft are also covered. 4) Terrorism, sedition, fake news, and attempt to suicide to influence officials are

Uploaded by

wiwexid940
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Introduction

Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 (BNS) is one of the three criminal law bills introduced by the
Union Government to replace the era-old Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). BNS was passed in Lok
Sabha on 20th December 2023 and in Rajya Sabha on 21st December 2023. Apart from
amendments it aims to add several o ences in the ordinary law which were either part of any
statute or was an o spring of precedents declared by the Supreme Court of India.
Major Changes That have been Introduced in the
Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 !
• Mob Lynching:
◦ Clause 103 of BNS provides punishment for murder.
◦ Sub-clause (2) of Section 103 states that when a group of ve or more persons acting in

concert commits murder on the grounds of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth,
language, personal belief or any other similar ground each member of such group shall be
punished with death or with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to ne.
◦ SC in Tehseen S Poonawalla v. Union of India & Ors (2018) asked the government to bring law

on mob lynching.

The Court observed that “There can be no shadow of doubt that the authorities which are
conferred with the responsibility to maintain law and order in the States have the principal
obligation to see that vigilantism, be it cow vigilantism or any other vigilantism of any
perception, does not take place”.
• Promise to Marry:
◦ Clause 69 of BNS provides punishment for Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means,

etc.
◦ It states that whoever, by deceitful means or by making promise to marry to a woman without

any intention of ful lling the same, has sexual intercourse with her, such sexual intercourse not
amounting to the o ence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description
for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to ne.
◦ Explanation—“deceitful means” shall include inducement for, or false promise of employment

or promotion, or marrying by suppressing identity.


• Organized Crime:
◦ Organized crime in India includes variety of illegal activities that are planned, coordinated, and

conducted by criminal organizations.


◦ Till now, organized crimes were dealt under several state legislations and other acts of

parliament including the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA),
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS).
◦ Clause 111 of BNS punishes Organized Crime

Acts of unlawful activity including kidnapping, robbery, vehicle theft, extortion, land
grabbing, contract killing, economic o ences, cyber-crimes having severe consequences,
tra cking in people, drugs, illicit goods or services and weapons, and human tra cking
racket for prostitution or ransom shall constitute organized crime.

It must be done by the e ort of groups of individuals acting in concert, singly or jointly, either
as a member of an organised crime syndicate or on behalf of such syndicate.

It must be done by use of violence, threat of violence, intimidation, coercion, corruption or
related activities or other unlawful means to obtain direct or indirect, material bene t
including a nancial bene t.
◦ Clause 112 punishes Petty organized crime or organized crime in general

Petty organized crime includes crime that causes general feelings of insecurity among
citizens relating to theft of vehicle or theft from vehicle, domestic and business theft, trick
theft, cargo crime, theft (attempt to theft, theft of personal property), organized
pickpocketing, snatching, theft through shoplifting or card skimming and Automated Teller
Machine thefts or procuring money in unlawful manner in public transport system or illegal
selling of tickets and selling of public examination question papers and such other common
forms of organized crime.

It must be committed by organized criminal groups or gangs.

And it shall include the said crimes when committed by mobile organized crime groups or
gangs that create network of contacts, anchor points, and logistical support among
themselves to carry out number of o ences in region over a period before moving on.
ffi
fi
fi
ff
ff
ff
fi
ff
ff
ff
fi
fi
fi
ffi
fi

Whoever commits or attempts to commit any petty organised crime, under this shall be
punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may
extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to ne.
• Terrorism
◦ Clause 113 of BNS punishes terrorism by any act with the intent to threaten or likely to

threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, or economic security of India or with the
intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India
or in any foreign country.
◦ Terrorist act is currently dealt with under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA).

• Attempt to Suicide:
◦ Clause 226 of BNS covers punishment for attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain

exercise of lawful power.


◦ It states that whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any

public servant from discharging his o cial duty shall be punished with simple imprisonment
for a term which may extend to one year, or with ne, or with both, or with community service.
• Fake News:
◦ Clause 197 punishes acts including imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration

which covers false news.


◦ Clause 197 (1) (d) states that whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by

visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, makes or publishes


false or misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of
India, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with ne, or
with both.
• Sedition:
◦ Clause 152 of BNS has introduced Sedition in a new form as subversive activities.
◦ Clause 152 states that whoever, purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or

by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of nancial


mean, or otherwise, excites or attempts to excite, secession or armed rebellion or subversive
activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers sovereignty or unity and
integrity of India; or indulges in or commits any such act shall be punished with imprisonment
for life or with imprisonment which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to ne.
◦ Explanation– Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures, or administrative or

other action of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means without
exciting or attempting to excite the activities referred to in this section do not constitute an
o ence under this section.
ff
ffi
fi
fi
fi
fi
fi

Common questions

Powered by AI

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 addresses the issue of fake news through Clause 197, which penalizes the creation and dissemination of false or misleading information jeopardizing sovereignty, unity, integrity, or security of India with imprisonment that may extend up to three years, along with a fine . This provision aims to directly tackle misleading information that poses a threat to national security, thereby emphasizing the importance of truthful communication in maintaining public order and trust .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 expands the definition of organized crime by including a broader range of illegal activities such as cyber-crimes, trafficking in persons, drugs, and illicit goods, committed by groups acting in concert . Clause 111 and Clause 112 further distinguish between organized crimes and petty organized crimes, detailing specific acts and the involvement of syndicates or criminal gangs . This expansion facilitates a more comprehensive legal framework for law enforcement, enabling targeted strategies against structured criminal activities and providing clearer guidelines for prosecution .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 elaborates on the concept of organized crime syndicates by identifying various criminal activities that constitute organized crime, such as trafficking, extortion, and cyber-crimes, stipulating tough penalties under Clause 111 . This bill shifts the focus towards a more organized approach in battling crime syndicates by legally defining and targeting the organizational structures of crime, showing a move towards disrupting the operations of such groups at the foundational level .

Clause 113 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 introduces provisions to punish terrorism, defining it as acts intended to threaten India's unity, integrity, sovereignty, and security or to strike terror in the people . While these provisions align with the goals of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA), which also addresses terrorism, the BNS potentially offers a broader scope for prosecution under national security concerns . This complementary legislation can enhance overall legal enforcement against terrorist activities by providing an updated legal framework that includes additional forms of unlawful activities .

Clause 152 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 redefines sedition by introducing it as subversive activities aimed at exciting secession, armed rebellion, or separatist activities, punishable with life imprisonment or imprisonment up to seven years, and a fine . Although this bill adopts a narrower focus by specifying acts that endanger state sovereignty and integrity, it may still pose challenges to freedom of expression, as the broad interpretation of 'subversive activities' could potentially criminalize legitimate dissent if not meticulously enforced .

Clause 226 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 addresses attempted suicide with intent to coerce or restrain a public servant from their lawful duty by imposing simple imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or community service . This provision indicates a shift towards recognizing the underlying intention in acts of attempted suicide, focusing on its use as a coercive tool rather than solely as a mental health issue, which reflects a nuanced approach to addressing both legal and psychological aspects within the legislative framework .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 redefines sedition under Clause 152 by focusing on subversive activities that directly target national unity and security . This redefinition could substantiate the government's authority to act against serious threats, potentially safeguarding national security; however, it also introduces challenges regarding governmental accountability. The broad criteria for what constitutes subversion may endanger legitimate political criticism, thus requiring careful enforcement to avoid misuse against political dissent .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 includes Clause 69, which criminalizes the act of sexual intercourse obtained by deceitful means or false promises of marriage without the intent to fulfill them, punishable by up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine . This provision strengthens legal protection for women by acknowledging such deceit as a punishable offense, rather than dismissing it as a 'breach of promise,' thereby reinforcing women's rights to autonomy and dignity in relationships .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 introduces Clause 112 to address petty organized crimes by punishing offenses that contribute to societal insecurity, such as thefts, scams, and fraudulent activities by organized crime networks . These crimes are punishable by imprisonment of one to seven years and fines . This reflects the government's intention to systematically dismantle organized crime at all levels, ensuring a comprehensive tactic to combat both grave and minor criminal activities, enhancing public safety .

The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 introduces significant changes in addressing mob lynching by including specific provisions for punishment. Clause 103 of BNS specifies that any group of five or more persons committing murder on discriminatory grounds such as race, caste, community, etc., shall be sentenced to death, life imprisonment, and a fine . This directly addresses the concerns raised by the Supreme Court in Tehseen S Poonawalla v. Union of India & Ors (2018), where the court highlighted the need for legislative measures to combat vigilantism and ensure law and order by criminalizing acts of mob violence .

You might also like