The All India Lawyers Association for Justice raised concerns over certain provisions under the three new criminal laws that will be implemented from Monday.
The All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) held a demonstration in Bengaluru on Friday, raising concerns about the three new criminal laws that will be implemented from Monday.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023, and The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, are set to be implemented from July 1.
The AILAJ released a booklet titled Beating The Colonial Powers At Their Game and raised concerns over the new criminal laws, pointing out that some provisions, such as publishing details of the accused and permitting the use of handcuffs, among others, would be an attack on the presumption of innocence.
Assembling near the City Civil Court Complex, the lawyers also argued that provisions such as carrying out virtual trials or waiving the right to trial of a proclaimed offender would be an attack on the right to free and fair trials.
The association claimed that the terrorism provision in the BNS lacked even the limited safeguards of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 152 of the law would effectively revive the sedition provision with a more stringent punishment.
The lawyers also raised the issue of other legislation such as the Post Office Bill empowering the police to intercept shipments and open or destroy items prohibited under law.