New Delhi - On Tuesday, the government presented three revised bills in Parliament, aiming to replace existing criminal laws by incorporating recommendations from a parliamentary panel.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11 along with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills, seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively.

The reintroduced bills feature at least five modifications, including an alteration in the definition of terrorism. In the Bharatiya Nyaya (second) Sanhita Bill, the definition now encompasses "economic security." It states, "Whoever does 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…"

Section 73 has undergone changes, making it an offense to publish court proceedings revealing the identity of victims of rape or similar offenses without court permission. The amended section specifies, "Whoever prints or publishes any matter in relation to any proceeding before a court with respect to an offence referred to in Section 72 without the previous permission of such court shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to a fine."

Home Minister Amit Shah explained that the decision to withdraw and reintroduce the bills was based on recommendations from the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs. The committee suggested changes following discussions with domain experts and stakeholders. Amendments are proposed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, in response to the committee's recommendations, and a new bill is set to replace it.

Similar statements for withdrawal were made regarding the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. The bills were initially referred to the standing committee for detailed discussion, with the committee expected to submit its report within three months.