West Bengal Government Forms Panel to Review New Criminal Laws

The West Bengal government has set up a seven-member committee, led by a retired Calcutta High Court judge, to review newly enacted criminal laws. The committee will present its findings within three months. The panel includes state officials and has the authority to seek expert opinions and public consultations.

The West Bengal government has established a seven-member committee, chaired by retired Calcutta High Court judge Ashim Kumar Roy, to scrutinize newly implemented criminal laws, according to an official statement on Wednesday.

A notification issued on Tuesday confirmed the creation of the panel, which is expected to submit its comprehensive report within three months. The review will cover the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA), the Home Department stated.

Governor C V Ananda Bose has requested an immediate report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the committee's objectives in examining the revised CRPC, IPC, and Evidence Act. The formation of the committee follows Banerjee's earlier communication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which she requested a delay in implementing the new laws and called for further parliamentary discussions.

(With inputs from agencies.)