'Watershed Moment': Here's What CJI DY Chandrachud Said About The New Criminal Laws

Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud on Saturday (12 hailed the enactment of new criminal laws as a transformative step for India's legal landscape.

During a conference on the country's Criminal Justice System organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice, he stressed the significance of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which are set to replace existing criminal statutes, noting that these laws mark a pivotal moment in society.

Justice Chandrachud also highlighted the role of criminal law in shaping moral standards, emphasising the importance of due process to ensure fair trials and protect individual rights.

"These laws signify a watershed moment for our society because no law affects the day-to-day conduct of our society like the criminal law," he said.

"Our laws and their implementation are an ever-evolving area. There is no finality to any law or the manner of its implementation. However, we must be willing to embrace positive changes to meet the needs of our times," he said.

"I expect that with the implementation of the new criminal laws, we will discover loopholes and areas that need to be addressed. Such debates would be helpful in enhancing the efficiency of our criminal justice systems, " he added.

The conference also featured discussions on the implications of the new criminal laws and provided a platform for stakeholders including government officials, legal experts, law enforcement agencies, and academics to exchange ideas and address key concerns.

Other dignitaries who attended the conference include Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (independent charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice, R Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, Rajiv Mani, Law Secretary, Government of India, among others.

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