MHA adopted 72% of 111 suggestions on criminal laws by House panel: Officials

Amid concerns over the three new criminal laws, Home ministry officials said that MHA has incorporated 72% of 111 suggestions made by the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) which examined the draft laws in August 2023. "The PSC forwarded its recommendations to the MHA on November 10, 2023. MHA has incorporated most of the suggestions given by PSC and out of 111 observations, MHA has incorporated around 72% of them," the officials said.

The remaining suggestions were either in terms of observations of the Committee or the existing provisions in the Bills were already meeting the suggestions of PSC. The old set of Bills were subsequently recalled and, after incorporating suggestions and feedback, the current three Bills were tabled, they added. MHA has initiated steps towards preparing the existing organs of the Criminal Justice System to successfully adapt themselves to these new laws.

As per officials, "these measures would require training at all levels in the police, vast improvement of forensic capabilities at all levels, evolving best practices for adopting technological solutions at police station and court levels, preparing various guidelines on initiatives like Witness Protection Scheme, etc. Further, commensurate capacity building steps have to be undertaken by all states and UTs".

On strengthening prosecution and providing for a Directorate of Prosecution in each state with offices in each district, the officials said, "A Directorate of Prosecution, headed by Director Prosecution under the administrative control of the Home Department in the state, has been prescribed. The words 'vakil', 'pleader' and 'barrister' have been replaced with the word 'advocate'."