Jurists have pointed to disastrous consequences of new criminal justice laws, says Congress

On a lighter note, the most widely known Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code is now history, Mr. Ramesh said, adding that it had even inspired a hit Raj Kapoor-Nargis film “Shree 420” in 1955 that had many superhit songs.

The Congress on Monday said many jurists have pointed out the "disastrous consequences" of the three criminal justice laws which were "bulldozed" through Parliament aided by the "deliberate suspension" of over 140 INDIA bloc MPs.

President Droupadi Murmu Monday gave assent to the criminal justice bills, turning them into laws. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The three criminal justice bills bulldozed through Parliament last week, aided by the deliberate suspension of 146 INDIA MPs, have now received Presidential assent." "Many eminent lawyers and jurists have already pointed out its disastrous consequences, especially for the most marginalised sections of the society," he said.

On a lighter note, the most widely known Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code is now history, Mr. Ramesh said, adding that it had even inspired a hit Raj Kapoor-Nargis film "Shree 420" in 1955 that had many superhit songs.

Henceforth, that will be Section 316 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, he noted.

Also Read | Revamping the criminal justice system to fit the bill 

"No matter, Shree 420 nahi toh Shree G20 hi sahi!" Mr. Ramesh said.