Civil code can be amended: PM Oli (With major provisions of the Code)

Kathmandu / Aug 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has made it clear that government was committed to practically implement the Civil and Criminal codes.

During a special programme organised by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in Kathmandu today, PM Oli reiterated that if there were any flaws, these could be corrected with amendments.

“I make a special request to the local levels and provincial governments to make people aware about the laws for the effective implementation,” he said.

The PM also urged one and all not to make a hue and cry over the codes which are being implemented from today. Although some discomfort is created in the beginning with a new system, acts and rules in place, it could be made gradually normal.

According to him, if the laws violate socio-economic rights of citizens, these could be amended.

“It was imperative to incorporate the values of federal democracy, constitution and country’s socio-politics in the Civil and Criminal Codes brought as per international practice,” the PM underscored.

On the occasion, Acting Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra expressed a belief that the Codes would be useful to ensure rule of law and good governance in the country.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Bhanubhakta Dhakal also said the Codes would be a milestone for the implementation of the new constitution.

Major Provisions of the Code

These are some of the major provisions in the new law—a mix of worrying and welcome news—that every Nepali should know about.

Life imprisonment has been increased from 20 years to 25 years

Anyone found guilty of murder after torturing or abducting or raping an individual; committing murder through poisoning of food; committing mass murder by hijacking aircraft and genocide, will face a life-term in prison.

Enforced disappearance will be criminalised

This is the first time enforced disappearance of individuals has been criminalised. Anyone convicted of disappearing an individual will face 15 years of jail-term and Rs. 500,000 fine or both.

Strong privacy laws have been enforced, potentially limiting free press

New privacy provisions outlined in the codes say violation of any individual’s right to privacy would result in up to three years imprisonment and fines in thousands of rupees. According to the provisions, listening to or recording a conversation between two or more people and photographing someone without their consent is now a criminal offence. Anyone found violating these rules faces one year in prison and a fine of Rs. 10,000 or both.

Rapists will face longer jail sentences

The maximum jail-term for anyone convicted of rape has been increased from 15 years to 20 years.

New corrective justice replaces conventional jail terms

The existing conventional jail terms have been replaced by open prison, community service, and night prisons. However, only those who are convicted to face less than three years of imprisonment and are considered to have “decent conduct” will qualify for corrective justice measures.

All legal petitions can be filed online

Starting today, all Nepalis can file a petition with the judicial or law enforcement institutions by going online. However, no institutions have updated their websites to incorporate the new system.

Negligence in medical practice will lead to severe actions

A medical practitioner would face an action equivalent to a murder charge if authorities determine that a patient lost their lives due to negligence during treatment. If reckless treatment leads to a patient’s disability, the medical practitioner would face three years behind bars and a monetary fine.

Age limit for marriage of girls increased

Until now, the marriage age for girls and boys were set at 18 years and 20 years respectively. The new law has increased the marriage age for girls, making it equal with that of boys.

Controversial practice of banishing women during their periods is banned

Chhaupadi, the much-criticised Hindu practice that banishes women from their homes during menstruation and after birth, has been criminalised for the first time. Anyone who forces a woman to practise Chhaupadi will face three months in jail and Rs 3,000 fine, or both.

Anyone who recklessly leaves their cattle astray will go to jail

The new law says all farmers and herders should take full responsibility for their livestock. Leaving them out uncared in the open will be a criminal offence punishable by three months in jail as well as fines.

Begging on the streets will be punishable

Street begging has been banned completely starting Friday. Anyone found begging or forcing someone to beg at public places can face a jail term of one month and a year respectively. Authorities had already enforced a similar law inside the Pashupatinath temple premises earlier this year, but it hasn’t been fully implemented yet.

Match-fixing in sports has been criminalised

Until now, there were no laws that convicted athletes or businesses and individuals involved in match-fixing. According to the new Criminal Code, those found guilty of match-fixing will face five years in prison and Rs. 50,000 fine, or both.

New provisions give equal weight to a wife and husband for divorce

Until now, only a wife could directly start a divorce by filing a case in court, making it more bureaucratic for a husband to initiate such proceeding. Starting Friday, both husband and wife can start the divorce proceeding from a court. The new law also says marital rape case could lead to a legal divorce.

Those involved in conversion of religion will be fined (and deported)

Anybody who encourages or is involved in religious conversion using any means would be booked under criminal offence and would face a jail term of five years and Rs 50,000 fine. Any foreigner found guilty of such practice will be deported within a week.

Torch rallies will be no longer allowed in public

The new Criminal Code has stern provisions that affect lives in public places. One of the provisions bans organizing a torch rally (and holding a torch during protests) in public places—and those found violating this law will be jailed for six months. RSS