Criminal
Criminal Law Reforms: The New Criminal Code Trilogy
By FairLex Editorial | February 15, 2026 · 1 min read
India's criminal justice system underwent a historic transformation with the enactment of three new criminal codes replacing the colonial-era laws:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replacing the Indian Penal Code
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replacing the Indian Evidence Act
Key Changes
The new codes introduce several significant changes including mandatory videography of crime scenes, zero FIR provisions, increased use of technology in investigations, and time-bound trials.
Community Service as Punishment
One notable addition is the introduction of community service as a form of punishment for minor offenses, moving away from the purely punitive approach of the old laws.
Concerns
Legal scholars have raised concerns about certain provisions relating to sedition (now renamed), police custody extensions, and the potential for misuse of broad provisions.