FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS VOL. XXXX NO. 259 | INDORE | SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 25, 2024 | PAGES 18 r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; `4 r RNI No. 38281/83 QUALITY AT VALUE www.freepressjournal.in - WORLD SAJANA SAJEEVAN: FROM PADDY FIELD CRICKET TO OVERNIGHT STAR FOR MUMBAI INDIANS SPORTS UKRAINE MARKS 2 YEARS SINCE RUSSIA’S INVASION NEW CRIMINAL LAWS to come into force on July 1 DECODING THE NEW LAWS NEW DELHI The newly enacted laws -Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Act -- to completely overhaul the criminal justice system in the country will come into effect from July 1. However, the provision related to cases of hit and run by vehicle drivers will not be implemented immediately . The three laws got the Parliament's approval on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25. According to three identical notifications issued by the Union home ministry , provisions of the new laws will come into force from July 1. The laws will replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 respectively . The three legislations aim at completely overhauling the criminal justice system in the country by giving definitions of various offences and their punishments. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), the central government hereby appoints the 1st day of July , 2024 as the date on which CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN Amendments in provisions related to rape of women below 18 years. Consistent provisions with POCSO for gang rape of a minor. Life imprisonment or death penalty for rape of girls below 18. Introduction of a new crime category: gang rape of a woman under 18. Targeted penalties for fraudulent sexual activities or false promises of marriage. n n n n n ORGANISED CRIME n Introduction of a new section on organised crime in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Definition of organised crime in Section 111(1). Syndicate-related illegal activities are now punishable. Inclusion of armed rebellion, subversive activities, and acts threatening sovereignty under organised crime. n Punishment, including the death penalty, imprisonment, and fines for various offences. TERRORISM n TREASON Terrorism becomes a punishable offence under Section 113(1). n Death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for terrorist acts. n New offences include the destruction of public facilities or private property. n Coverage of acts causing 'widespread loss by reason of damage or destruction of critical infrastructure.' n Sedition is completely removed and replaced with a new section that criminalises acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. n Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces IPC Section 124A, emphasising acts threatening sovereignty or unity and integrity. n Introduction of 'intent' in the definition of treason, safeguarding freedom of expression n Removal of words like hatred and contempt, the inclusion of 'armed rebellion,' 'destructive activities,' and 'separatist activities.' n OTHER IMPORTANT PROVISIONS New provision on mob lynching with life imprisonment or death penalty. n Enhanced penalties for serious injuries leading to near-disability or permanent disability. n Victim-centric reforms ensuring the right to participation, information, and compensation. n Institutionalisation of filing zero FIR, allowing FIR lodging anywhere. n Removal of sedition with a focus on acts threatening sovereignty or unity and integrity. This departure from colonial-era laws reflects a commitment to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens, marking a new era in the Indian legal landscape. n the provisions of the said Sanhita, except the provi- sion of sub-section (2) of section 106, shall come into force," one of the notifications said. CONTD. ON P8 23 die as tractor falls into UP pond BISWAJEET BANERJEE / LUCKNOW NEWS BRIEF Police constable exam cancelled LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday cancelled the recently held police constable recruitment examination following allegations of question paper leak and ordered a re-test within six months. According to the statement, a re-examination will be conducted within six months and UPSRTC buses will ferry candidates to the centres for free. Minor boy kills senior, held NEW DELHI: A Class 6 student was apprehended for killing his senior schoolmate after an argument over a petty issue in northeast Delhi, police said on Saturday. The 14-year-old boy, a Class 8 student, was thrashed to death on Friday in Brahmpuri area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast), Joy Tirkey, said that the incident occurred at 2:15 p.m. on Friday and information regarding the incident was received at 4:04 p.m. from JPC Hospital, following which the police teams were dispatched to the hospital and spot. Tragedy struck Uttar Pradesh when an overloaded tractor trolley carrying 40 pilgrims overturned and fell into a pond killing 23 persons, police said. The figure was given by Rakesh Kumar Patel, a district official. According to the PTI, however, the Inspector General of Police Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur told the agency that 24 people died when the tractor-trolley overturned and fell into the seven to eight-foot-deep pond while the driver was trying to overtake another vehicle. Over a dozen others were injured in the accident that took place Kasganj, 260 km southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rajeev Agarwal said that the deceased comprised seven children and eight women. They were pronounced dead at the village Community Health Centre of Patiali. He said the toll may go up as some injured people Estranged wife files new charges against ‘Krishna’ BHOPAL Senior IAS official Smita Bharadwaj, who is fighting a divorce case against her actor husband Nitish Bharadwaj, has filed a 'darkhast' (application) in a family court in Mumbai demanding that his property be sold for recovery of Rs 10,000 per month to each daughter that she claimed he had not been paying for long. Her lawyer Chinmay Vaidya confirmed filing of the 'darkhast' in the family court in Bandra in the metropolis. "I can confirm recovery proceedings on the basis of an interim order for a sum of Rs 10,000 per daughter, that is Rs 20,000 per month, which was piled up since December 2022, has been filed. That amount was not paid since December 2022, because of which I had to file recovery proceedings on behalf of my client," he said. Vaidya refused to give any further details saying the matter was sub judice. Sources close to her said the "execution application" in the family court sought selling of the actor's property for recovery of the ? 10,000 per month that has to be paid to each daughter. When contacted, Nitish Bharadwaj, in a Whatsapp reply, said "I will have to check with my lawyers if any such application is filed by her. CONTD. ON P8 are in serious condition. The tractor-trolley was taking pilgrims for a holy bath in the river Ganga in Kadarganj Ghat in Kasganj. Being Maghi Purnima, full moon day, it is considered auspicious by Hindus, and on this day people take a dip in rivers considered holy like Ganga and Yamuna. CONTD. ON P8 Haldwani violence mastermind held in New Delhi DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand police on Saturday arrested the key accused in the violence, that took place in Banbhulpura, Haldwani on February 8. State Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for the Uttarakhand Police team that arrested Abdul Malik from Delhi, spokesperson IG Nilesh Bharne said. The arrested accused, Abdul Malik, will soon be produced in court, said the police. Uttarakhand Police Headquarters (PHQ) Spokesperson Nilesh Anand Bharne said, "The Nainital police were in a constant search for the mastermind of the Haldwani violence. Buddhist relics from India unite in Thailand BANGKOK The convergence of the Holy Trinity of Buddhism is taking place in Thailand as sacred relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his disciples Arahata Sariputta and Arahata Maha Moggallana, have arrived from India for a 25-day exposition, wrote Ambassador Nagesh Singh in an op-ed, released by the Embassy of India in Thailand. The relics will tour four cities in Thailand - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi - until March 19, 2024, providing an opportunity for devotees from neighbouring countries to pay their respects. Typically housed in the National Museum in New Delhi, the holy relics of Lord Bud- dha rarely leave India for exposition. This occasion marks the first recorded history where the relics of Buddha, along with those of Sariputta and Maha Moggalla from Sanchi, are enshrined together, wrote the Indian Ambassador. The delegation accompanying the relics to Thailand is led by the Governor of Bihar, Rajendra Arlekar, and the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar. WEATHER EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE 27.40c. 14.80c Sunrise : 06.52 Sunset : 06.27 Shah on day long tour of MP today OUR STAFF REPORTER city.bhopal@fpj.co.in With an eye on Lok Sabha election preparations, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving Madhya Pradesh on a day long tour on Sunday. He will participate in programmes in Gwalior, Khajuraho, Bhopal and will interact with party workers To attend progs in Bhopal, Gwl & Khajuraho and leaders. This is his first tour of state after the assembly election. BJP State President VD Sharma said to media that Amit Shah will first go to Gwalior where he will convene the meeting of managing committee of all four Lok Sabha constituencies. He will guide the party workers. From Gwalior, he will go to Khajuraho and there he will address booth committee workers of all 2293 booths of Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency . After attending the Khajuraho programme, he will arrive in Bhopal. Here he will chair the meeting of Prabhudhjan (intellectuals). This is a significant visit of Amit Shah to Madhya Pradesh as not enough time is left for Lok Sabha elections. CONTD. ON P8 CHANDU’S CHEAT DAY CINEMA Sailana MLA embroiled in Rs 1cr bribe charge FP NEWS SERVICE Sailana/Indore Sailana MLA Kamlesh Dodiyar, who secured victory on the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) ticket, has found himself embroiled in controversy . Accusations have surfaced from a local medical store owner, alleging that Dodiyar demanded a staggering Rs one crore from him. The store owner Tapa Rai released a video on Friday and a day later on Saturday, he reached Ratlam SP Rahul Lodha to complain about the MLA. However, when the SP was not available, he submitted an application at the office. In response, MLA Dodi- yar countered the accusation, alleging that the medical store operated by Rai in Bajna had been illegal for 30 years. He claimed to have staged a three-hour protest demanding action against the illegal operation. The MLA claimed that, "He wanted to bribe me of Rs 20 lakh, but I told him that even if he give Rs 1 crore, he will not allow the store to operate illegally .'" Meanwhile, the incident has sparked a heated debate, with both sides standing firm on their claims. Notably, Dodiyar was the only independent MLA in ‘Quad is hedge against China’ PTI / NEW DELHI The Quad is a statement that others cannot have a "veto" on choices of like-minded nations and the coalition is here to stay, grow and contribute to global prosperity, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, amid mounting global concerns over China's rising assertiveness in the IndoPacific. In an address at a thinktank forum, Jaishankar described the coalition of In- dia, the US, Japan and Australia as an "overhead light" that is a "creative, flexible, nimble, responsive and openminded" enterprise. The Quad has been focused on bolstering cooperation to ensure a free and an open and inclusive IndoPacific in the face of Chinese belligerence. The minister said the Quad reflects the growth of a multipolar global order and its central approach is collaborative, and not unilateral. CONTD. ON P8 an assembly of 230 MLAs in the state. As per the Rai's claim, he holds a pharmacy degree and operates his store in compliance with regulations. According to Rai, he received a threatening call from MLA Dodiyar on February 19 at 4.20 pm, followed by a meeting where he was asked to pay Rs. 1 crore to settle the matter. Dodiyar, on the other hand, justified his actions by accusing Rai of operating the store unlawfully and engaging in illegal abortions and exploitation of the impoverished. He claimed to have written to the Chief Medical and Health Officer in the past, urging the closure of Rai's store. CONTD. ON P8 Assam repeals Muslim Marriage Act GUWAHATI: Less than three weeks after Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass legislation on a Uniform Civil Code, Assam has taken its first step towards a similar law and decided to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act. Making the announcement on Friday Assam Minister , Jayanta Malla Baruah said the decision has been taken by the cabinet. Sources said a bill is likely to be tabled in the Assam Assembly which , is scheduled to be in session till February 28. (DETAILS ON PG-8)