Reforming Criminal Justice for Women in India: New Criminal Laws, 2023

This study explores criminal justice reforms for women in India through the New Criminal Laws, 2023, comprising the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws seek to move aspects of India’s criminal justice framework beyond inherited colonial legal structures, while raising continuing questions concerning dignity, consent, equality and implementation. Key reforms include expanding the definition of sexual offences, recognising forms of violence through digital platforms and introducing victim-centred procedures, such as simplified reporting and audiovisual recording of statements. The analysis shows that the new legal framework expands statutory and procedural protection for women, but its practical significance depends on judicial interpretation and institutional capacity. However, institutional weaknesses in policing, prosecution and judicial administration continue to limit their effectiveness.