DMK Challenges New Criminal Laws in Court

The DMK has approached the Madras High Court to challenge the constitutionality of three new criminal laws introduced by the Union government. These laws, replacing older ones, are criticized for causing confusion and were allegedly passed without meaningful debate. The petitioner argues they violate Article 348 of the Constitution.

The DMK on Friday approached the Madras High Court to declare the three new criminal laws introduced by the Union government as ultra vires and unconstitutional. The laws, which came into effect on July 1, replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act.

A division bench comprising Justices S S Sundar and N Senthil Kumar heard the petition filed by DMK Organising Secretary R S Bharathi and ordered notice to the Centre, returnable in four weeks. Bharathi argued that the laws were passed without meaningful discussion in Parliament and merely shuffled sections, causing confusion.

He added that this reorganization would create difficulties for judges, advocates, law enforcement authorities, and the general public in understanding and interpreting the new provisions. Bharathi contended that the primary aim was to Sanskritize the titles of the Acts, breaching Article 348 of the Constitution, which mandates authoritative legal texts in English.