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India is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its legal framework with the introduction of three new criminal laws, slated to replace outdated colonial-era statutes and will come into effect from today, July 1. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last December, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively. Several new provisions have been incorporated in the three new criminal laws to suit contemporary times and technologies in vogue.Key Changes and Provisions:The forthcoming laws introduce several progressive provisions aimed at enhancing efficiency and fairness in the legal process:Innovative Legal Procedures: Features like Zero FIR allow complaints to be filed at any police station, streamlining the initiation of legal action.Technological Advancements: Online police complaints and electronic summons service aim to reduce paperwork and enhance communication.Swift Judicial Processes: Strict timelines for delivering trial judgments within 45 days and framing charges within 60 days emphasize timely justice delivery.Protection for Vulnerable Groups: Special provisions for crimes against women and children, ensuring sensitive handling and expedited medical examinations.Expanded Offenses: Definition updates include emerging crimes such as false promise of marriage and gang rape of minors, alongside a comprehensive definition of terrorism.The introduction of the Bharat New Criminal Laws (BNSS) brings forth a spectrum of new legal provisions, each with its implications and contentious points. Notable among these is Clause 69, which criminalizes sexual intercourse under "deceitful means". According to the provision, individuals who engage in sexual relations by deceit, such as false promises of employment or marriage without intention to fulfill them, could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, accompanied by fines. Critics argue this clause may inadvertently criminalize consensual relationships and potentially amplify narratives like "love jihad".Clause 103 introduces a landmark recognition within the BNSS, categorizing murder on grounds of race, caste, or community as a distinct offense. This provision responds to a 2018 Supreme Court directive urging legislative action against rising incidents of lynching, aiming to provide legal recognition and accountability for such crimes.The BNSS also consolidates various offenses under its ambit, including terrorism and organized crime, previously covered by stringent laws like the UAPA and state-specific acts. Clause 111(1) broadly defines organized crime to encompass a range of activities from economic offenses to cyber-crimes with severe consequences, albeit leaving vague terms like "cyber-crimes having severe consequences" open to clarification.Another significant addition is the recognition of "snatching" as a distinct offense in Clause 304(1), distinguishing it from theft by emphasizing sudden or forcible seizure of property, punishable by up to three years in prison. The restructuring of provisions in BNSS mirrors the IPC's approach, prioritizing chapters on general exceptions, punishments, and abetment, with separate chapters for offenses against women preceding those against the state.A notable departure from the existing legal framework is the extension of police custody duration from the previous 15 days under the CrPC to up to 90 days under Clause 187(3) of the BNSS. This shift aims to expedite trials and adopt a victim-centric approach, while critics express concerns about potential misuse and its impact on custodial rights.The introduction of trials in absentia, similar to provisions under the UAPA, shifts the burden of proof onto the accused, potentially compromising fair trial rights. Additionally, the BNSS removes the provision for statutory bail for individuals facing multiple charges, which was intended to prevent prolonged pre-trial incarceration.Amidst these changes, the BNSS introduces community service as an alternative to imprisonment for minor offenses like theft or defamation, aiming to reduce overcrowding in prisons. However, the law lacks a clear definition of community service, leaving its implementation at the discretion of judges.The inclusion of marital rape of minor wives under rape laws addresses a longstanding gap, aligning with Supreme Court directives and acknowledging discrepancies in IPC provisions.Despite these advancements, grey areas remain, including concerns over the redefined sedition offense and the exclusion of Section 377, which was pivotal in addressing non-consensual sexual acts involving men. The BNSS's rollout and enforcement will critically influence its impact on legal and social landscapes, shaping the future of criminal justice in India.Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the laws' role in reflecting Indian values and prioritizing justice over punitive measures during their parliamentary passage. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last December, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively.While acknowledging the need for legal reform, critics have voiced concerns over expanded police powers, vaguely defined offenses like terrorism, and potential implications for civil liberties.The introduction of India's new criminal laws brings forth significant changes, but also sparks concerns over expanded police powers and potential implications for civil liberties. Key points of contention include:Extended Police Custody: The maximum duration of police custody under the new laws is expanded from 15 days to 60-90 days. This extension raises concerns about increased risks of police excesses and coerced confessions, potentially undermining fair legal proceedings.Discretionary Prosecution: Police officers are granted broad discretion to choose between prosecuting under the new laws or existing statutes like the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), without clear guidelines. This discretion could lead to inconsistent application and raise questions about fairness and accountability.Vaguely Defined Offences: The new laws introduce vaguely worded offences related to "terrorism", "organized crime", and "acts endangering sovereignty". Such broad definitions leave room for arbitrary application and could potentially infringe on fundamental rights like freedom of speech and personal liberty.Expanded Definition of Terrorism: The definition of "terrorism" is expanded beyond the existing UAPA to include acts that "disturb public order" or "destabilize the country". This expanded scope increases the risk of misuse and raises concerns about the legal repercussions for dissent and protest.Removal of Legal Aid Provision: The new laws remove the provision for legal aid from the point of arrest, which is seen as problematic for safeguarding the rights of the accused. This omission could hinder access to justice and fair legal representation, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable individuals.Ahead of the rollout, the government has conducted extensive preparations, including training initiatives and technological upgrades, to ensure smooth nationwide implementation of the new laws.The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam were introduced in Parliament by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 11, 2023. These laws aim to replace the outdated Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act with updated provisions tailored to contemporary legal needs.(With inputs from TOI)

Bridgetown: The Indian cricket team will have a new head coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Monday but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid. Former opener Gautam Gambhir is expected to succeed Dravid as the India head coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee has also conducted the interviews for the high-profile job and short-listed Gambhir and former India women's coach W V Raman. The appointment of a selector will also be made soon, said Shah, who is in the Caribbean with the India squad that won the T20 World Cup title on Saturday, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final. "Both coach and selector appointment will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series," Shah tld select media, referring to the Zimbabwe tour beginning July 6. The Indian team is due to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and as many ODIs starting July 27. Seniors' presence helped India Shah showed his elation after India won an ICC title after 11 years here on Saturday. He praised the efforts of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the final. Both the stalwarts announced their retirement from T20Is after the triumph and were joined by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in saying goodbye to the format a day later. "It was same captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title. "If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference, in World Cups you can't experiment much also. "A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit's strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players," he said. How does he see the transition panning out following the retirement of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja? "Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah said. India, who had built a reputation of losing the big finals over the past decade, finally ended their title drought after losing two ICC finals over the last 12 months and Shah hoped the winning run will continue. "I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises. "The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there," said Shah. On Hardik Pandya's all-round performance in the World Cup and chances of him taking over captaincy from Rohit, Shah said: "Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but we and selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself." India A to tour Australia Shah also confirmed that an A team will be travelling to Australia later in the year ahead of the five Tests Down Under. The BCCI is planning a felicitation after reaching India but the Hurricane warning has shut down the airport in Barbados indefinitely, leaving the victorious squad stranded. "Like you we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation," said Shah.

The rising use cases of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) have propelled the valuations of leading global and Indian AI companies to significant heights, driven by investor enthusiasm for the technology’s transformative potential. ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, reached 100 million users just two months after its launch.Retail investors are now viewing AI as a promising investment frontier, with significant potential for gains by investing in leading companies in this field. Nvidia, a maker of AI chips, has seen its stock surge threefold in the past year, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world with a market capitalisation in excess of $3 trillion. Several other AI-related companies, including Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Taiwan Semiconductor, Qualcomm, and Applied Materials, have experienced gains between 50% and 80% in the past year. About 30 global AI-related stocks are valued at over $100 billion now. ET has compiled a list of the top 20 companies related to AI, part of the Alliance Global Artificial Intelligence Fund, which have gained the most in the last one year. Many of these cutting-edgecompanies aren’t listed yet. Here’s a list of those with valuations based on their latest funding round.LEADING GLOBAL AND INDIAN UNLISTED AI COMPANIES 1) OpenAI: The maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI, is the world’s largest AI company, with a valuation of $80 billion. Backed by technology major Microsoft and venture capital firm Y Combinator, OpenAI has raised a total of $11.3 billion in funding, with its last Series E round occurring on April 12 2) xAI: Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI, founded in March 2023, is the second most-valued AI startup globally with a valuation of $18 billion. The company’s last Series B funding round was backed by investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital3) ScaleAI: San Francisco headquartered Scale AI has attained a valuation of $13 billion. The startup recently raised $1 billion from investors such as Accel, Meta, Nvidia, and Ama4) Cohere: The Toronto-based enterprise-focused AI platform Cohere is valued at $5 billion after raising $450 million in a June funding round from investors, including Nvidia, Salesforce Ventures, and Cisco5) Anthropic: Amazon-backed AI startup Anthropic has reached a valuation of $4 billion. In May, the tech giant invested $2.75 billion in the company6) Stability AI: The generative AI startup Stability AI, known for its text-to-image model Stable Diffusion, now has a valuation of $4 billion. The cashstrapped company recently raised $80 million, according to reports7) Perplexity AI: The AI-powered research and conversational search engine startup Perplexity AI has reached a valuation of $3 billion. According to multiple reports, Japanese technology investor SoftBank Group is investing between $10 million and $20 million in the startup8) Adept AI: The San Francisco-based startup building AIpowered agents to automate various software-based tasks has a valuation of $1 billion. In March, the company announced it had raised $350 million in a Series B round, bringing the total funds raised to around $400 million9) Krutrim AI: Mobility major Ola’s cofounder Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim AI became the fi rst homegrown AI startup to achieve unicorn status after raising $50 million at a valuation of $1 billion from Matrix Partners India10) Sarvam AI: Chennai-based startup SarvamAI, which is developing GenAI models, has a valuation of $110 million after $41 million from LightSpeed, Peak XV, and Khosla VenturesTOP LISTED AI PLAYERS 111394073 111394081