‘Judges be vigilant’: Kapil Sibal sounds alarm on bills to replace criminal laws

Former law minister and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday called on the government to take back the three bills that seek to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. Sibal alleged that the proposed law allows the use of “draconian police powers for political ends”.

Former law minister and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday called on the government to take back the three bills that seek to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. Sibal alleged that the proposed law allows the use of “draconian police powers for political ends”.

"They (NDA government) talk about ending colonial-era laws, but their thinking is that they want to bring dictatorship in the country through laws. They want to make such laws under which action can be taken against Supreme Court and high court judges, magistrates, public servants, CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General), and other government officials," Sibal said at a press conference in New Delhi.

"I want to request judges to be vigilant. If such laws are passed then the future of the country would be imperiled," he claimed.

Union home minister Amit Shah tabled Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Bill, and Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) Bill in Lok Sabha on Friday, the last day of Monsoon session of the Parliament. Shah said the bills will be sent to a parliamentary panel for scrutiny.

Referring to the BNS Bill, Sibal said it is "dangerous" and if passed then only the government's writ will run on all institutions.

"I request you (government) to take back these (bills). We will tour the country and tell the people what kind of democracy you want – one that throttles the people through laws and gags them," he alleged.

Sibal also alleged that the bill is "completely contrary to the independence of the judiciary".

"This is completely unconstitutional, it strikes at the root of the independence of the judiciary. Their thinking is clear that they don't want democracy in this country," he said.