The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after more than 160 years.
Major Changes:
- Simplified Language: Legal terms made accessible in plain Hindi and English.
- New Offences: Hate crimes, cyberbullying, and mob lynching explicitly recognized.
- Community Service: Introduced as a punishment for minor offences.
- Terrorism & Organised Crime: Covered in more detail compared to IPC.
Why It Matters:
- Law students must relearn basics with updated statutes.
- Young lawyers will need to align their practice with BNS definitions and classifications.
- Courts will interpret new provisions—judicial commentary will evolve rapidly.
