West Bengal forms committee headed by former HC judge to suggest amendments to new criminal laws

The State of West Bengal has constituted a committee to suggest amendments to the three new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) - which came into force on July 1. .The committee was formed after the West Bengal government's request to defer enforcement of the new criminal laws was not heeded by the Central government.In a notification issued on July 16, the State's Home Department stated that the committee will suggest State-specific amendments required to the new criminal codes and will examine whether its names need to be changed at the State level..Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Roy, who presently serves as the Lokayukta of West Bengal, has been appointed the chairperson of the committee.The other members of the committee are:- Malay Ghatak, Law Department Minister in-charge;- Chandrima Bhattacharyya, Minister of State with independent charge of the Finance Department, Health and Family Welfare Department and Land and Land Reforms and Refugee, Relief and Rehabilitation Department;- The Advocate General of West Bengal;- Advocate Sanjay Basu, Senior State Standing Standing Counsel at the Supreme Court;- The West Bengal Director General and Inspector General of Police; and- The Kolkata Police Commissioner..The committee will have the power to engage academic experts, senior advocates, research assistants and other legal experts to carry out its duties.The committee has also been tasked with getting public opinions on the proposed amendments.The committee has been asked to submit a report within three months..The Bar Council of West Bengal had earlier unanimously resolved to observe July 1 as 'Black Day' as a mark of protest against the three new criminal laws.These new laws replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act with effect from July 1.The new laws are meant to replace colonial-era criminal laws in India but also stoked controversy over how it was passed in Parliament, their names, their potential impact on existing criminal cases, and the practical difficulties in implementing an overhaul of the criminal justice system.At least two other States - Tamil Nadu and Karnataka - are also contemplating the introduction of State-level amendments to these laws..West Bengal Bar Council to observe July 1 as Black Day against three new criminal laws.[Read notification on committee]