IMPACT OF LATEST LAW UPDATES ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA (BNS), BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA (BNSS), AND BHARATIYA SAKSHYA ADHINIYAM (BSA) IN EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

This will be a massive change in Indian criminal justice system with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, IPC, 1860 and “CrPC”, 1973 proposed for replacement of the Evidence Act 1872, IPC (Indian Penal Code) 1860 and CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) 1973, respectively. Effective on July 1, 2024, the laws cover a range of issues, such as process improvement, technology and victim protections.  This paper discusses their specific focus on gender based crimes and their contribution to women's access to justice, their ability to deter gender based violence, and women's agency. While there is still much to be done in terms of timelines, victim-centred procedures and evidence collection, gaps, including the absence of the concept of marital rape, create a barrier to a comprehensive approach in empowerment. Analysis is based on the legislation, government sources, scholarly work, and problems of implementation.