Centre Proposes New Bills for Criminal Law
Introduction
Criminal justice in India is majorly governed by three laws which are – Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act. The centre, on 11th August 2023’ Friday, proposes a new bill in parliament Friday, which is replacing the country’s major criminal laws, i.e. Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act.
The following three bills are being proposed to replace major criminal laws in the country:
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 to replace Indian Penal Code 1860.
- The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, to replace The Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, to replace The Indian Evidence Act 1872.
Cyber law-oriented view of the new shift in criminal lawNotable changes:Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 Indian Penal Code 1860.
Way ahead for digitalisation
The new laws aim to enhance the utilisation of digital services in court systems, it facilitates online registration of FIR, Online filing of the charge sheet, serving summons in electronic mode, trial and proceedings in electronic mode etc. The new bills also allow the virtual appearance of witnesses, accused, experts, and victims in some instances. This shift will lead to the adoption of technology in courts and all courts to be computerised in the upcoming time.
Enhanced recognition of electronic records
With the change in lifestyle in terms of the digital sphere, significance is given to recognising electronic records as equal to paper records.
Conclusion
The criminal laws of the country play a significant role in establishing law & order and providing justice. The criminal laws of India were the old laws existing under British rule. There have been several amendments to criminal laws to deal with the growing crimes and new aspects. However, there was a need for well-established criminal laws which are in accordance with the present era. The step of the legislature by centralising all criminal laws in their new form and introducing three bills is a good approach which will ultimately strengthen the criminal justice system in India, and it will also facilitate the use of technology in the court system.
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Executive Summary
Following the tragic cruise accident at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur, a heartbreaking image of a woman lying unconscious in a river with a child resting on top of her has gone viral on social media. Users are claiming that the picture shows victims of the recent Bargi Dam accident. Research by CyberPeace Research Wing found that the viral claim is false. The circulating image was created using AI (Artificial Intelligence) and is now being misleadingly linked to the real tragedy. However, reports indicate that a similar real-life image of a mother and child did emerge after the accident.
Claim
An X user shared the viral image on May 1, 2026, claiming that despite wearing a life jacket, the mother lost her life while trying to save her child. The emotional post praised mothers’ sacrifice and linked the image directly to the Bargi Dam cruise mishap An X user shared the viral image on May 1, 2026, claiming that despite wearing a life jacket, the mother lost her life while trying to save her child. The emotional post praised mothers’ sacrifice and linked the image directly to the Bargi Dam cruise mishap
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we searched relevant keywords on Google but found no credible news reports connecting the viral image to the Bargi Dam accident. A closer examination of the image revealed multiple visual inconsistencies. The hands of the woman and child appear unnaturally merged at one point, while the woman’s eyebrows seem split into two sections. Such distortions are common indicators of AI-generated imagery.
We then analyzed the picture using AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which estimated nearly a 90% probability that the image was AI-generated.
During the research , we also found a clarification post from the official Facebook account of the Jabalpur District Collector, who stated that the viral image was AI-generated or sourced elsewhere and had no connection with the Bargi cruise accident.
According to a report published by NDTV on May 2, 2026, the accident occurred on April 30 near Khamaria Island when an overloaded tourist cruise capsized amid strong winds, heavy rain, and rising waves. At least nine people died, while 28 others were rescued.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that the viral mother-child image being linked to the Bargi Dam tragedy is fake. The picture was created using AI and falsely circulated in connection with the real cruise accident.
A few of us were sitting together, talking shop - which, for moms, inevitably circles back to children, their health and education. Mothers of teenagers were concerned that their children seemed to spend an excessive amount of time online and had significantly reduced verbal communication at home.
Reena shared that she was struggling to understand her two boys, who had suddenly transformed from talkative, lively children into quiet, withdrawn teenagers.
Naaz nodded. “My daughter is glued to her device. I just can’t get her off it! What do I do, girls? Any suggestions?”
Mou sighed, “And what about the rising scams? I keep warning my kids about online threats, but I’m not sure I’m doing enough.”
Not just scams, those come later. What worries me more are the videos and photos of unsuspecting children being edited and misused on digital platforms,” added Reena.
The Digital Parenting Dilemma
For parents, it’s a constant challenge—allowing children internet access means exposing them to potential risks while restricting it invites criticism for being overly strict.
‘What do I do?’ is a question that troubles many parents, as they know how addictive phones and gaming devices can be. (Fun fact: Even parents sometimes struggle to resist endlessly scrolling through social media!)
‘What should I tell them, and when?’ This becomes a pressing concern when parents hear about cyberbullying, online grooming, or even cyberabduction.
‘How do I ensure they stay cybersafe?’ This remains an ongoing worry, as children grow and their online activities evolve.
Whether it’s a single-child, dual-income household, a two-child, single-income family, or any other combination, parents have their hands full managing work, chores, and home life. Sometimes, children have to be left alone—with grandparents, caregivers, or even by themselves for a few hours—making it difficult to monitor their digital lives. While smartphones help parents stay connected and track their child’s location, they can also expose children to risks if not used responsibly.
Breaking It Down
Start cybersafety discussions early and tailor them to your child’s age.
For simplicity, let’s categorize learning into five key age groups:
- 0 – 2 years
- 3 – 7 years
- 8 – 12 years
- 13 – 16 years
- 16 – 19 years
Let’s explore the key safety messages for each stage.
Reminder:
Children will always test boundaries and may resist rules. The key is to lead by example—practice cybersafety as a family.
0 – 2 Years: Newborns & Infants
Pediatricians recommend avoiding screen exposure for children under two years old. If you occasionally allow screen time (for example, while changing them), keep it to a minimum. Children are easily distracted—use this to your advantage.
What can you do?
- Avoid watching TV or using mobile devices in front of them.
- Keep activity books, empty boxes, pots, and ladles handy to engage them.
3 – 7 Years: Toddlers & Preschoolers
Cybersafety education should ideally begin when a child starts engaging with screens. At this stage, parents have complete control over what their child watches and for how long.
What can you do?
- Keep screen time limited and fully supervised.
- Introduce basic cybersecurity concepts, such as stranger danger and good picture vs. bad picture.
- Encourage offline activities—educational toys, books, and games.
- Restrict your own screen time when your child is awake to set a good example.
- Set up parental controls and create child-specific accounts on devices.Secure all devices with comprehensive security software.
8 – 12 Years: Primary & Preteens
Cyber-discipline should start now. Strengthen rules, set clear boundaries, and establish consequences for rule violations.
What can you do?
- Increase screen time gradually to accommodate studies, communication, and entertainment.
- Teach them about privacy and the dangers of oversharing personal information.
- Continue stranger-danger education, including safe/unsafe websites and apps.
- Emphasize reviewing T&Cs before downloading apps.Introduce concepts like scams, phishing, deepfakes, and virus attacks using real-life examples.
- Keep banking and credit card credentials private—children may unintentionally share sensitive information.
Cyber Safety Mantras:
- STOP. THINK. ACT.
- Do Not Trust Blindly Online.
13 – 16 Years: The Teenage Phase
Teenagers are likely to resist rules and demand independence, but if cybersecurity has been a part of their upbringing, they will tolerate parental oversight.
What can you do?
- Continue parental controls but allow greater access to previously restricted content.
- Encourage open conversations about digital safety and online threats.
- Respect their need for privacy but remain involved as a silent observer.
- Discuss cyberbullying, harassment, and online reputation management.
- Keep phones out of bedrooms at night and maintain device-free zones during family time.
- Address online relationships and risks like dating scams, sextortion, and trafficking.
16 – 19 Years: The Transition to Adulthood
By this stage, children have developed a sense of responsibility and maturity. It’s time to gradually loosen control while reinforcing good digital habits.
What can you do?
- Monitor their online presence without being intrusive.Maintain open discussions—teens still value parental advice.
- Stay updated on digital trends so you can offer relevant guidance.
- Encourage digital balance by planning device-free family outings.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, your role is not just to set rules but to empower your child to navigate the digital world safely. Lead by example, encourage responsible usage, and create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing online challenges with you.
Wishing you a safe and successful digital parenting journey!
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The concept of web accessibility (i.e., access to the internet) stems from the recognition of internet access as an inalienable right. In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) General Assembly referred to the access to Internet as an essential human right. The Supreme Court of India also declared such internet access as a fundamental right under the Constitution of India. Various international instruments of which India is a signatory, such as the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) mandate access to information. The heavy reliance on the internet and websites necessitates making the web space inclusive, navigational and accessible to all individuals, including persons with disabilities.
Various laws mandate web accessibility:
- Right of Persons with Disability Act, 2016: The Right of Persons with Disability Act 2016 Is the primary document for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure their full participation. The Act provides several direct and indirect provisions (such as Section 2(y) “Reasonable Accommodation”, Section 40 on “Accessibility”, and Section 42 on “Access to Information and Communication Technology”) to ensure that technology products and services are accessible to a person with disabilities.
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017: The 2017 rules under Rule 15 (2) task the respective Ministries and Departments to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
- Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW): The GIGW provide a framework for websites to be designed in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards. The GIGW enables websites to obtain certification by the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, after audit.
Various other policies include;
- National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility, 2013: The National Policy ("Policy") on Electronic Accessibility recognizes the need to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disabilities and to facilitate equal access to Electronics & ICTs. The National Policy also recognizes the diversity of differently-abled persons and provides for their specific needs. The Policy covers accessibility requirements in the area of Electronics & ICT by different stakeholders. It recognizes the need to ensure that accessibility standards, guidelines and universal design concepts are adopted and adhered to.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The WCAG defines how to make web content more accessible to persons with disabilities. While adhering to these guidelines is optional, various versions of the WCAG have been issued. It operates on four principles; perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. It provides a path to ensuring compliance and demonstrating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
However, despite the laws, web accessibility remains a challenge. A vast majority of Indian websites, especially e-commerce entities and several government websites remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities and most often do not conform with international accessibility standards. A report by the Centre of Internet and Society states that out of the 7800 websites of the Government of India, 5815 had accessibility barriers and 1985 websites failed to open. The report also notes that more than half of the websites had no navigation markup and only 52 websites had the option to change colours. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy), during the 258th Session of the Rajya Sabha on 9 December 2022 noted that 95 websites of the Central Government have been made accessible to persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, only 45 websites of the Central Government have been certified as compliant under the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW). As of that date, certification of the remaining governmental websites remains incomplete due to the pandemic. Meity also stated that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2017 sanctioned a project to be implemented by ERNET India for making 917 websites of State and Union territories. Under the project, a total of 647 websites have been made accessible as of that date.
Conclusion
While India has established a robust legal framework and policies emphasizing the importance of web accessibility as a fundamental right, the existing gap between legislation and effective implementation poses a significant challenge. The reported accessibility barriers on numerous government and e-commerce websites indicate a pressing need for heightened efforts in enforcing and enhancing accessibility standards.
In addressing these challenges, continued collaboration between government agencies, private entities and advocacy groups can play a crucial role. Ongoing monitoring, regular audits and public awareness campaigns may contribute to improving accessibility for persons with disabilities to ensure an inclusive environment and compliance with fundamental laws.
References:
- https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-2967-right-to-internet-and-fundamental-rights.html
- https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15939/1/the_rights_of_persons_with_disabilities_act%2C_2016.pdf
- https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/National%20Policy%20on%20Universal%20Electronics%281%29_0.pdf
- https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/National%20Policy%20on%20Universal%20Electronics%281%29_0.pdf
- https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/#:~:text=Web%20Content%20Accessibility%20Guidelines%20(WCAG)%202.1%20defines%20how%20to%20make,%2C%20learning%2C%20and%20neurological%20disabilities.
- https://www.boia.org/blog/india-digital-accessibility-laws-an-overview
- https://cis-india.org/accessibility/accessibility-of-govt-websites.pdf/view
- https://sansad.in/rs/questions/questions-and-answers
