Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The proposed bill, which has been referred to the Standing Committee for review, contains a provision under Section 195 that deals with those spreading ‘fake news or misleading information’ that jeopardizes the sovereignty and security of India and shall be punished for up to three years of imprisonment.
Section 195 (1) d reads, Whoever makes or publishes false or misleading information jeopardizing the sovereignty, unity, integrity, or security of India shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to three years, or with a fine, or with both.” The section is contained under Chapter 11 of the newly proposed bill under ‘Of Offences against the Public Tranquility’ under the subject of ‘Imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration.’
The provisions related to imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration’ were under Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code. Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three Bills in the Lok Sabha on Friday that aimed at giving justice and protecting the rights given to Indian citizens by the Constitution.
While introducing the bills, Shah said the soul of these three new laws will be to protect all the rights given to citizens by the Constitution. He said that the three bills—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakhshya Bill, 2023—fulfill a vow outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address to end all signs of slavery.
The bills will abolish the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, made by the British. “The Indian Penal Code, 1860, will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023,” he said.
