Ready to discuss new laws but don’t do politics: Shah

On Monday, the first day of the rollout of three new criminal laws, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to members of Opposition parties, who have protested their implementation, to meet him and discuss their grievances.

“I appeal to everyone, whatever their grievances are. If you believe these laws cannot serve the people properly, meet me. Boycotting laws is not the solution. There are many other ways to engage in politics,” he said at a press conference, responding to questions about Opposition leaders’ protests.

Shah dismissed criticism that the three new criminal laws were draconian and repressive. He argued that they are modern, protect victim rights, and establish accountability for police forces. He

detailed the improvements over the colonial-era laws that these new ones replaced and the preparations made, including training 2.25 million police personnel on the new laws.

State police forces across

the country reported lodging the first few cases under these new laws.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed the first information report under the new laws was filed against a street vendor for obstruction while he was earning his livelihood under a foot overbridge at New Delhi Railway Station.

In his press conference, Shah clarified that the first case registered under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) was in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, shortly after midnight, relating to a motorcycle theft, not against a street vendor in Delhi. He said that the Delhi case was resolved by the police.

BNS, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam came into effect on Monday, replacing the IPC, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Shah said that the provision of a maximum 15-day police custody, similar to the previous IPC provisions and police remand periods, has not been extended as claimed in some quarters.