New Delhi, The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday asked all bar associations to refrain from any immediate agitation or protest regarding the new criminal justice laws.
The recently enacted laws (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Act) to completely reform the country's criminal justice system will come into effect from July 1.
Chief advocate and president of the BCI, Manan Kumar Mishra, said in a statement that in a resolution passed on Wednesday, the apex body of lawyers acknowledged the numerous representations received from bar associations and state bar councils across the country. , expressing strong protests against the recently introduced criminal laws. .
"These bar associations have expressed their intention to engage in indefinite agitations and protests unless these laws are suspended and subjected to thorough discussions at the national level, including a thorough review by Parliament," the statement said.
"Concern has been expressed that several provisions of these new laws are perceived as anti-people, more draconian than the colonial-era laws they are intended to replace and pose a serious threat to the fundamental rights of citizens," he added.
The statement said several "legal luminaries" and advocates have strongly opposed the laws.
Several bar associations have also called for a fresh review of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), besides reviewing the new laws, stating that these laws They contravened the principles of fundamental rights and natural justice, he stated.
"After careful consideration of these demands and concerns, the BCI requests all bar associations to refrain from any form of agitation or protest at this time. The BCI will initiate talks with the Union Government, represented by Minister of the Union Home Affairs and the Union Law Minister, to convey the concerns of the legal fraternity," the statement said.
He said the apex bar body would also seek the intervention of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, an advocate, to mediate the matter.
"In addition, the BCI requests all bar associations and senior lawyers to submit specific provisions of the new laws that they consider unconstitutional or harmful, to facilitate a productive dialogue with the government," the statement said.
It underlines that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had in September 2023 declared the government's willingness to amend any provision of these laws if "valid reasons and plausible suggestions" were presented.
"Upon receiving specific suggestions from the bar associations, the BCI will constitute a committee comprising prominent lawyers, former judges, impartial social activists and journalists to propose necessary amendments to these new laws," the statement said.
"The BCI assures the bar associations and the legal community that these issues are being taken seriously and that there is no cause for immediate concern. Accordingly, there is no immediate need for agitation, protests or strikes in relation to this issue," he added. .
The three laws obtained approval from Parliament on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave them her approval on December 25.
According to three identical notifications from the Union Home Ministry, the provisions of the new laws will come into force from July 1.
The recently enacted laws (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Act) to completely reform the country's criminal justice system will come into effect from July 1.
Chief advocate and president of the BCI, Manan Kumar Mishra, said in a statement that in a resolution passed on Wednesday, the apex body of lawyers acknowledged the numerous representations received from bar associations and state bar councils across the country. , expressing strong protests against the recently introduced criminal laws. .
"These bar associations have expressed their intention to engage in indefinite agitations and protests unless these laws are suspended and subjected to thorough discussions at the national level, including a thorough review by Parliament," the statement said.
"Concern has been expressed that several provisions of these new laws are perceived as anti-people, more draconian than the colonial-era laws they are intended to replace and pose a serious threat to the fundamental rights of citizens," he added.
The statement said several "legal luminaries" and advocates have strongly opposed the laws.
Several bar associations have also called for a fresh review of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), besides reviewing the new laws, stating that these laws They contravened the principles of fundamental rights and natural justice, he stated.
"After careful consideration of these demands and concerns, the BCI requests all bar associations to refrain from any form of agitation or protest at this time. The BCI will initiate talks with the Union Government, represented by Minister of the Union Home Affairs and the Union Law Minister, to convey the concerns of the legal fraternity," the statement said.
He said the apex bar body would also seek the intervention of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, an advocate, to mediate the matter.
"In addition, the BCI requests all bar associations and senior lawyers to submit specific provisions of the new laws that they consider unconstitutional or harmful, to facilitate a productive dialogue with the government," the statement said.
It underlines that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had in September 2023 declared the government's willingness to amend any provision of these laws if "valid reasons and plausible suggestions" were presented.
"Upon receiving specific suggestions from the bar associations, the BCI will constitute a committee comprising prominent lawyers, former judges, impartial social activists and journalists to propose necessary amendments to these new laws," the statement said.
"The BCI assures the bar associations and the legal community that these issues are being taken seriously and that there is no cause for immediate concern. Accordingly, there is no immediate need for agitation, protests or strikes in relation to this issue," he added. .
The three laws obtained approval from Parliament on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave them her approval on December 25.
According to three identical notifications from the Union Home Ministry, the provisions of the new laws will come into force from July 1.
