Criminal Laws

Criminal law comes into action when people fail to adhere to and follow the laid down principles and rules. It leads to serious consequences or sanctions by the state for failure to abide by its rules. Every crime is composed of criminal elements.

For serious crimes even death sentence is awarded as punishment in many countries and in India. Physical or corporal punishment is nowadays rarely seen in India and is not followed in many other countries. Individuals may be sent to prison or jail and there is separate Jails for Juvenile offences.

Confinement may be solitary. Fines also are levied and in some cases seizing money or property from a person convicted of a crime is ordered.

Criminal law, or penal law, is enacted and written and is sanctioned as law by the parliament in India. It is a body of rules that governs the conduct that is to be followed by the citizen of a state because it is held to threaten, harm or otherwise endanger the safety and welfare of the public. Its non-compliance sets out the punishment to be imposed on those who breach these laws. Criminal law is enforced by the state, unlike the civil law which may be enforced by private parties.

The following statutory Acts govern the Criminal Laws in India.

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Indian Penal Code, 1860
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
Indian Contract Act, 1872
The Fatal Accidents Act, 1855
The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
The Juvenile Justice Act, 1986
Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1962
The Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Prevention of Terrorism Act 2002
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Motor Vehicles (AMENDMENT) Act 2000
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1938
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1993
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 199