This Article is From Dec 12, 2023

Harming Women's Mental Health Is "Cruelty" Under New Criminal Code

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: In the previous version of the bill, Section 85 provided for three-year jail for subjecting a woman to cruelty by her husband or in-laws

Harming Women's Mental Health Is 'Cruelty' Under New Criminal Code

Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita will replace IPC and CrPC

New Delhi:

The government has added two more sections to fight crime against women in the new criminal bill Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, meant to replace the old India Penal Code and other criminal laws.

In the previous version of the bill, Section 85 provided for three-year jail for subjecting a woman to cruelty by her husband or in-laws.

In the refreshed bill, Section 86 has been added to define "cruelty", which includes harming a woman's mental health and her physical well-being.

The second section looks to prevent revealing the identity of a sex assault survivor.

Revealing the identity of a sex assault survivor from court proceedings without permission will result in two-year jail.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 11 along with Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills.

The three seek to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1898, the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively.

Home Minister Amit Shah, in three identical signed statements submitted to parliament, said the decision to rework the bills was taken after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs made recommendations suggesting changes in the three bills following a series of discussions with domain experts and various stakeholders.

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