FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS VOL. 13 NO. 253 | BHOPAL | SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 25, 2024 | PAGES 18 r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; `4 r RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 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 Bhopal should be developed as metropolitan area City has been waiting for the Master Plan for 19 years. It was cancelled thrice 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. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan got the draft Master Plan published in 2009. Because there were many irregularities in it, the case went to the high court, and the government had to cancel the plan. CONTD. ON P8 NITENDRA SHARMA BHOPAL Bhopal's Master Plan prepared for the last time in 1995 on the basis of the population of the city in 2005 has been swept under the carpet for the third time. Afterwards there was no such plan, and the city has been haphazardly expanding for 19 years. ‘PLAN SHOULD BE MADE EVERY 10 YRS’ An expert in urban planning Aruneshwar Singhdeo has said the Master Plan of a city should be made in every ten years. Nevertheless, no government has ever paid any attention to it, he said. If it is not decided how Bhopal should be expanded and how the sewage lines, the water supply system and the traffic circulation should be arranged, the city will go out of control, he said. "It is not understood if Indore can be developed according to a plan, why are the city planners unable to do so in Bhopal?" he asked. 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 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. Buddha's relics from Sanchi reach Thailand BANGKOK The holy relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples, which were ferried from India to Thailand, were enshrined on Friday for public veneration at the specially built mandapam at Sanam Luang pavilion in Bangkok with great reverence and amidst holy chanting. Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar handed over the Lord Buddha relics to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, while those of Arahants Sariputra and Maha Maudgalayana were handed over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Thai Cul- ture Minister for enshrining in the mandapam, according to a press release issued by India's culture ministry The . relics, revered by Buddhist followers around the world, were ferried in a special Indian Air Force plane on Thursday . A majestic parade of relics leaving the national museum was also organised, showing the culture and heritage of Thailand as a part of the 26-day exposition of the relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples, the release said. 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 24 DIE as tractor-trolley falls into pond in UP KASGANJ Twenty-four people, including eight children, died when their tractor-trolley overturned and fell into a pond in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj district on Saturday morning, police said. They said 15 to 20 people were injured in the accident that occurred on the Patiyali-Dariyavganj road under the Patiyali police station area when the occupants of the tractor-trolley were going to take a bath in the Ganga river. Inspector General of Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. "Twenty-four people died when the tractor-trolley overturned and fell into the seven to eightfoot-deep pond while the driver was trying to overtake another vehicle. 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.