Category: THE INDIAN PENAL CODE

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) was a foundational criminal law of India, operational for over 160 years. Enacted in 1860, it served as the comprehensive rulebook defining a wide array of criminal offenses and their associated punishments. The IPC provided a unified legal framework for substantive criminal law, covering crimes against individuals, property, and the state.

Key Aspects of the Indian Penal Code

• Historical Legacy: Drafted by the First Law Commission of India under the leadership of Thomas Babington Macaulay, the IPC was a product of the British colonial era. Despite its origins, it remained the cornerstone of India’s criminal justice system post-independence.
• Comprehensive Scope: The code was divided into 23 chapters and contained 511 sections, addressing a vast range of crimes from minor offenses to severe felonies. It detailed punishments such as imprisonment, fines, and the death penalty.Replacement by New Laws: The Indian Penal Code was officially repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on July 1, 2024. This change was part of a broader reform of India’s criminal justice system, which also replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. The new laws aim to align the legal framework with modern-day needs and citizen-centric principles.