Former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit today raised concerns over the absence of guidelines for awarding community service as a punishment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Justice Lalit was delivering a lecture organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association on “BNS 2023 and IPC 1860: Continuity, Change and Challenges.”

Giving an example, Justice Lalit noted that punishment for defamation under section 356(2) of BNS , could be up to two years of imprisonment, or fine, or both, or community service. “ But there are no guidelines as to how much community service. If it is two years of prison does it mean two years of community service? ” he asked.

He questioned the nature and extent of such punishment. “ What kind of community service? Is it something like Kar Seva in your G

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