Cracking Down on Fake News: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023 – Penalties and Jail Time Explained

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023: On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha. The bill, now under scrutiny by the Standing Committee, encompasses a clause within section 195. The clause refers to the people on spreading of fake news.

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What does the Bill state?

This clause addresses individuals who disseminate ‘fake news or misleading information’ that puts at risk the sovereignty and security of India, and prescribes a potential penalty of up to three years of imprisonment. 195 (1) d reads,” makes or publishes false or misleading information jeopardising the sovereignty unity and integrity or security of India, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.” The specified section is ] within Chapter 11 of the recently introduced bill, categorized under Of Offences against the Public Tranquility.’ This chapter falls under the subject heading ‘Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.’

The clauses concerning ‘Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration’ were previously covered by Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code. On Friday, Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha, all geared towards ensuring justice and safeguarding the constitutional rights granted to Indian citizens.

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Amit Shah speaks on importance of new bills

In his introduction of the bills, Shah emphasized that the fundamental essence of these three new laws is to uphold and safeguard the constitutional rights granted to citizens. He highlighted that the trio of bills – The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakhshya Bill, 2023 – fulfill a commitment articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech to eliminate all remnants of subjugation.

These bills will annul the British-established statutes, including the Indian Penal Code of 1860, Criminal Procedure Code of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. Amit Shah stated, “The Indian Penal Code, 1860 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023; the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023.”

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