West Bengal Establishes Panel of Seven to Evaluate New Criminal Legislation

Three significant laws came into effect nationwide on July 1, accompanied by a related notification released on Tuesday. The state government has formed a committee, comprising Justice (retired) Ashim Kumar Roy, Law Minister Malay Ghatak, and Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, to review the criminal laws. Governor C V Ananda Bose has urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to provide an immediate report on the committee’s objectives for reviewing the amended CRPC, IPC, and the Evidence Act.

The government panel is expected to submit its report within three months from the notification date. The Home Department released a statement, emphasizing the state’s commitment to adhering to the new laws, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanita, 2023 (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). The committee is empowered to engage academic experts, senior advocates, research assistants, and other legal experts for consultation.

It also holds the authority to conduct public consultations on the matter. In response to the new laws, Banerjee had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a postponement of the implementation and further parliamentary discussions. The Governor’s office expressed concern, stating that West Bengal should not become a “state within a state” or a “banana republic”.

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