The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013

This 2023 edition of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Act 13 of 2013, dt. 2-4-2013, w.e.f. 3-02-2013) reproduces—exactly as gazetted—the landmark amendments that recast India’s sexual-offence and gender-violence provisions across the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in the wake of the 2012 Delhi case. Concise short comments appear beneath each amending clause—flagging updated offence definitions, enhanced minimum sentences and reversed-burden presumptions—while preserving full Bare-Act integrity for examinations and authoritative citation.

Core statutory impact

• Indian Penal Code, 1860 – introduces Sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B/C/D, 370 & 370-A (trafficking), widens rape definition under Sec. 375, and mandates minimum 20-year or life terms for aggravated rape.

• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – mandates women police officers for statement recording, time-bound investigations, and in-camera trials; adds Sec. 357-C on free medical care for victims.

• Indian Evidence Act, 1872 – inserts Sec. 53-A (character evidence bar), Sec. 146 proviso (no victim character cross-examination) and presumption clauses on consent when accused is in a position of authority.

This edition is particularly suited for

• AIBE candidates and law students studying criminal-law reforms and victim-protection jurisprudence.

• Prosecutors, defence counsel, and police investigators updating charge-sheets, investigation SOPs, and courtroom strategy.

• Judicial officers & magistrates applying time-bound trial mandates and new evidentiary presumptions.

• NGOs, social workers & policy researchers analysing gender-justice outcomes and statutory-compliance gaps.

Exact Gazette text · pinpoint explanatory notes · zero superfluous commentary—your quickest route to clarity, authenticity and practical insight on India’s 2013 criminal-law overhaul.