West Bengal Governor Seeks Report on Committee Reviewing New Criminal Laws
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has requested a detailed report from the Mamata Banerjee government regarding the objectives of the seven-member panel established to review three new criminal laws. The committee, headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Roy, includes state law minister Malay Ghatak, state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, and other legal and police officials. This panel will examine the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).
The Governor’s request emphasizes the need for clarity on whether the state government responded promptly to the Centre’s proposal regarding these laws. In June, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to delay implementing the new laws, advocating for further parliamentary discussions. Despite this, the President of India approved the laws in December 2023, with implementation starting on July 1, 2024.
West Bengal’s initiative follows similar steps taken by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, aiming to review and possibly amend the newly enacted criminal laws. The committee is expected to submit its findings within three months and may involve various legal experts and public consultations in its review process.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
