Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill introduces 'Organised crime' and 'Terrorist act' as new offenses

It aims to modernize criminal law by including specific provisions for sexual offenses, child protection, and organized crime.

Who it concerns: The law applies to all individuals, including children (with specific age-based exceptions), public servants, and members of the armed forces. It specifically targets perpetrators of sexual offenses, crimes against the state, and violations of public tranquility.

What the bill does

• Defines punishments including imprisonment, fines, and solitary confinement.
• Establishes general exceptions such as acts done by mistake, accident, or in private defense.
• Criminalizes abetment, criminal conspiracy, and attempts to commit offenses.
• Creates specific offenses against women and children, including rape, sexual harassment, stalking, and dowry death.
• Defines offenses affecting the human body, such as murder, culpable homicide, and assault.
• Criminalizes offenses against the state, including waging war and endangering sovereignty.
• Prohibits offenses related to elections, such as bribery and undue influence.
• Defines penalties for counterfeiting currency and government stamps.
• Criminalizes offenses against public tranquility, such as rioting and promoting enmity between groups.

Also in the document

• The document is a Bill (Bill No. 173 of 2023) introduced in the Lok Sabha, not yet an enacted Act.
• It includes specific provisions for 'Organised crime' and 'Terrorist act' under offenses affecting life.
• It references the 'Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023' in the context of non-appearance in response to a proclamation.