West Bengal Forms Panel to Review New Criminal Laws

The West Bengal government has constituted a seven-member panel, chaired by a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court, to review three newly implemented criminal laws, an official said on Wednesday. The announcement was made via a notification issued on Tuesday, the official added. The review panel is expected to present its findings within three months of the notification date.

According to the Home Department release, the state government has created a committee to scrutinize the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). The committee is led by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Roy and features members including the state's Law Minister Malay Ghatak and Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. These laws have been in effect across the country since July 1.

The notification further states that the committee is empowered to enlist academic experts, senior advocates, research assistants, and other legal professionals for their opinions on the matter. It is also authorized to conduct public consultations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21, requesting a postponement in the implementation of the new laws and calling for further parliamentary discussion.

(With inputs from agencies.)