Andhra Pradesh Implements New Criminal Laws Amid Translation Delays

The three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, replaced older laws and are now in effect in Andhra Pradesh. However, official Telugu translations are only halfway complete, causing some implementation issues.

The enforcement of the three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023—began in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

According to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Ch Dwaraka Triumala Rao, the new laws became effective from July 1. ‘… from today they are being implemented across the state,’ Rao confirmed to PTI.

In anticipation of the new laws, the Anakapalli district police organized an awareness session for law enforcement on Sunday, with a similar initiative held by Tirupati district police. However, the state government has yet to complete the Telugu translations of the new statutes, law secretary V Sunita revealed only half the translation work is done.

The new statutes replace the older Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, marking a significant legal update for the state.