BNSS falls short on systemic reforms in criminal justice system

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill (BNSS), 2023, aims to tackle the criminal justice system’s long-standing problem of delays. To achieve this, the BNSS provides timelines for various stages of investigation and trial, and also attemptsto push the use of technology and forensics. It also aims to adopt citizen-centric criminal procedures. While this objective is timely and sound, there are concerns about whether the proposed Bill adequately and effectively incorporates mechanisms to achieve these goals. This opinion was published in Deccan Herald on October 26, 2023.