Death for mob lynching under proposed new criminal law

The govt has proposed to make mob lynching a punishable offence with the punishment ranging from a minimum of seven years in jail to a death sentence.

The proposal is part of the 3 bills introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha to replace the current criminal laws - the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act.

Mob lynching is part of the laws dealing with murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill which will replace the Indian Penal code.

Provision 101(2) reads, "when a group of five or more persons acting in concert commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other ground each member of such group shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years, and shall also be liable to fine."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Bill, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) Bill, 2023 that will replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively.

The BNS bill provides for several changes in the existing provisions including that of defamation, attempt to commit suicide and expanded the scope of offence against women pertaining to sexual intercourse by employing "deceitful means".

Shah said the changes were done to provide speedy justice and create a legal system that keeps contemporary needs and aspirations of the people. Everyone will get justice in a maximum of three years once the new laws are passed, he added.

"I can assure the House that these bills will transform our criminal justice system. The aim will not be to punish, it will be to provide justice. Punishment will be given to create a sentiment of stopping crime," Shah said while noting that the laws made by the Britishers were full of signs of slavery aimed at punishing those opposed to their rule.

The minister also urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the three bills for examination by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

(with PTI inputs)

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