Don't Know Hindi, Will Stick to Original Names for IPC and CrPC In My Court: Justice N Anand Venkatesh

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Synopsis

On December 25, 2023, Presidential assent was granted to three significant bills: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita

Justice Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court during court session on Tuesday humorously remarked on his inability to speak Hindi fluently.

He expressed his intention to persist in using the 'original' English terminologies for the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, despite the introduction of new laws with Hindi names.

The comment was made during the hearing of a case related to cognizance and extension of limitation periods under Sections 460 and 473 of the CrPC. Justice Venkatesh, acknowledging his linguistic limitation, decided to stick to the familiar English terms while referencing the laws.

During the arguments in the case, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) A Damodaran pointed out a provision in the "new Act" but faced difficulty pronouncing the words 'Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita' that replaces the CrPC.

Seizing the opportunity, Justice Venkatesh intervened, noting that while APP Damodaran cleverly referred to them as the "new Act" to avoid pronouncing the Hindi words, he himself would continue using IPC, CrPC, and the Evidence Act as he is not proficient in Hindi.

Recalling the incident, APP Damodaran shared that Justice Venkatesh humorously pointed out their shared struggle with Hindi, stating, "We were all in the same boat when it came to Hindi".

On December 25, 2023, Presidential assent was granted to three significant bills: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita. These bills, replacing the IPC, CrPC, and the Evidence Act, mark a transformative step in the legal landscape.