Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi gave a fiery speech on July 1, denouncing the BJP's tactics of spreading falsehoods and violence. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced new criminal laws prioritizing justice rather than punishment. The fiery debates continued in both Houses of Parliament, with heated discussions on the NEET paper leak and Prime Minister Modi's election speeches. Despite the Speaker's attempts to expunge portions of Rahul Gandhi's remarks, the Leader of Opposition stood by his statement, stating that the truth cannot be erased.
Sujata Saunik, a senior IAS officer from the 1987 batch, has taken over as Maharashtra's Chief Secretary, making history as the first woman to hold the position in the state. Meanwhile, Mumbai is preparing for moderate to heavy rainfall, with a yellow alert issued for Sunday and an orange alert for Monday. In other news, faculty at Tata Institute of Social Sciences allege that contracts for over 100 staff have not been renewed, sparking criticism. Lastly, the Indian Penal Code and two other laws will be replaced by three new criminal laws on Monday.
India's criminal justice system sees a major overhaul as three new laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, replace the longstanding British-era statutes. This comes after the Delhi Police register its first FIR under the BNS against a street vendor for obstructing a foot overbridge and conducting sales. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised that the new laws would prioritize delivering justice, marking a significant milestone for the country's legal framework.
As India prepares to enforce new criminal laws on July 1, many wonder if the country's police forces are adequately prepared for the changes. The laws, meant to address issues of forced displacement and discrimination against minority groups such as Muslims and Adivasis, raise concerns about how they will be enforced and if they will truly address the underlying issues. This development also highlights the role of moral diplomacy in realpolitik, as seen in India's strained relationships with Israel, Palestine, and Myanmar under the leadership of Janata Dal (United) and PV Narasimha Rao.
Maldives police have arrested two ministers, Shamnaz Saleem and Adam Rameez, for allegedly performing black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu. Both ministers had previously worked with Muizzu when he was the mayor of Male City, and Shamnaz was later appointed to a state minister post at the President's official residence. While sorcery is not a criminal offence in the Maldives, it carries a jail sentence under Islamic law. The government and President's office have not yet made any official comment on the issue.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has reaffirmed that the Central Government will not reconsider its decision to implement the new criminal laws from July 1, 2024. The laws, which will replace the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Indian Evidence Act 1872, and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, were passed by Parliament in December 2023 but have faced criticism and pushback from certain legal experts and academics. Despite these concerns, the Centre has notified July 1 as the official date for the implementation of the new laws, stating that they contain innovative ideas to address current issues.
As a major step towards reforming the criminal justice system in India, Haryana Chief Secretary T.V.S.N. Prasad inaugurated an online training programme to equip IAS and HCS officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for implementing the three new criminal laws nationwide from July 1. The training, conducted by HIPA, Gurugram, aims to familiarise officers with the intricacies and technical aspects of the laws, and similar programmes are planned for officers at the divisional and state headquarters level. The Haryana government is fully prepared to roll out the new laws, with extensive training provided to the judiciary, police, and prosecution departments over several months.
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, praised the recent overhaul of India's criminal justice system through the enactment of new Penal Codes. These laws address contemporary challenges and aim to better protect victims and make the investigative and prosecution processes more efficient. The new laws also have harsher punishments for crimes such as rape of a minor and dissemination of false information through social media. The Chief Justice emphasized the need for capacity building and investment in the court system in order to effectively implement these new laws.
In an effort to reduce stigma and provide second chances for those with low-level criminal convictions, Governor Janet Mills of Maine signed a law in April allowing for the sealing of marijuana convictions from before the state's legalization of the drug in 2017. This accomplishment is a result of the work of the Criminal Records Review Committee, a 29-member panel featuring lawmakers and representatives from various legal, law enforcement, nonprofit, and media groups. The new law also removes age requirements for sealing criminal histories, allowing individuals of any age to apply for record sealing as long as they meet certain criteria.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, where he launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, accusing them of protecting their corruption and neglecting the development of Marathwada and Vidarbha. He also blamed the Congress for stalling progress in the region. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of India spoke in New Delhi about the new criminal justice laws, calling them a "watershed moment" for the country. However, voter turnout has decreased in Tamil Nadu, with several constituencies recording a dip in percentage points compared to the last election.