Parliament Winter Session: Government withdraws criminal law bills, plans to introduce them afresh

The Central government withdrew three criminal law bills, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, a day before they were set to be announced in Parliament.

The government plans to introduce them afresh following various recommendations made by a parliamentary panel. These bills have undergone already thorough redrafting, incorporating recommendations from a parliamentary standing committee.

Originally introduced during the Monsoon Session on August 11, these bills aimed to repeal and replace three British-era laws.


The parliamentary committee, in its November report, recommended retaining specific provisions, such as IPC section 377, dealing with carnal acts involving minors and bestiality.

The key details of the bills include:

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, replacing the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), now encompasses 533 sections.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, set to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), has been refined to include 356 sections, down from the initial 511.
• Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, intended to replace the Indian Evidence Act, now comprises 170 sections, up from the initial 167.

This week, the Centre approved criminal law amendment bills to replace their colonial predecessors. However, reported disagreements between the Cabinet and the Parliamentary Standing Committee revolved around issues like adultery and homosexuality.

Amit Shah emphasized that the committee engaged in extensive discussions with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, domain experts, and various stakeholders. The committee submitted its reports, along with recommendations, on November 10. In response, amendments are proposed for the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, and a new bill is suggested to be introduced in its place.