West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defer the implementation of the three criminal laws, which are set to be rolled out on July 1.
In a letter to the prime minister, Banerjee said the deferment would enable a renewed Parliamentary review of the criminal laws.
The new laws are the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act. The laws will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 respectively.
She noted that the three bills were passed in Lok Sabha at a time when 146 MPs had been suspended.
"The outgoing government of yours had passed these three critical bills unilaterally, and with absolutely no debate. That day, almost 100 members of the Lok Sabha had been suspended and a total of 146 MPs of both Houses were thrown out of Parliament," Banerjee said.
"The Bills were passed in an authoritarian manner in that dark hour of democracy. The matter deserves review now," she said.
"I urge your esteemed office now to consider at least a deferment of the implementation date. Reasons are two-fold: ethical, and practical," she said.
She said significant legislative changes should be placed before the newly elected Parliament for fresh deliberation and scrutiny.
"Given the wide-ranging reservations expressed in the public domain regarding the hurriedly passed new laws, fresh parliamentary review of these attempts would demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles...This approach would afford the newly elected people's representatives an opportunity to thoroughly examine the proposed," she said.
Banerjee said the request for postponement also stems from a pragmatic assessment of the challenges and preparatory work required for a smooth transition, particularly concerning the training of law enforcement personnel and judicial officers.
"Any far-reaching legal change requires meticulous groundwork beforehand to ensure effective enforcement and administration and we do not have any reason to avert such homework," she said.
"I humbly request you to consider our appeal for a deferment of the implementation of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNA) 2023, The Bharatiya Sakhsya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, and The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023," she said.
"We believe this postponement will enable a renewed Parliamentary review/mandate, reinforce public trust in the legal system, and uphold the rule of law in our beloved country," Banerjee added.
The three new criminal laws will come into force from July 1, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said. The new laws aim to provide speedy justice to the citizens of the country and will strengthen the judicial and court management system.
