Spreading fake news could land offenders in jail for three years, under new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill

A new Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, on Friday, has proposed that spreading 'fake news or misleading information' would be punishable with upto three years of jail time.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah has been referred to the Standing Committee for review.

A provision under section 195 says that those spreading 'fake news or misleading information' jeopardising the sovereignty and security of India shall be punished for up to three years in prison.


Section 195 (1) d reads," 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 fine, or with both."

The new Bill is part of the Centre's aim to revamp the country's criminal laws, with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Evidence Act all being revamped with new legislation.

Shah on Friday introduced three new Bills towards that purpose - The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakhshya Bill, 2023.

"The Indian Penal Code, 1860 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023," Shah said.

With inputs from ANI