Supreme Court dismisses PIL challenging the enactment of three new criminal laws and says, “They are not even in force.”

Today (February 26, 2024, Monday), the Supreme Court (SC) refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the enactment of three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. While dismissing the PIL, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, “What is your locus to challenge the three new criminal laws? They are not even in force. Dismissed.” The three laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, were introduced to repeal the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively. The new three criminal laws were passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha consecutively on December 20, 2023, and December 21, 2023. The criminal laws received assent from the President of India Droupadi Murmu on December 25, 2023. As per the latest gazette notifications, the Central Government appointed July 01, 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the aforementioned three new criminal laws shall come into force.