Kathmandu, October 24

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa said the recently passed penal code bill, criminal procedure code bill, civil code bill and civil procedure code bill were as important as the country’s constitution.

Minister Thapa said at a press conference that these newly passed bills were important because they would impact every individual. These bills will come into force on August 17, 2018.

“These new bills have introduced sweeping reforms in our criminal and civil law and hence media should play a role in sensitising the public about them,” he added.

Thapa said the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs would launch a campaign to propagate the epochal changes the newly passed bills had heralded.

Secretary at MoLJPA Kamalshali Ghimire said the new laws had incorporated new concepts that were in practice in other countries.

Highlights

• Couple to be deemed married if their cohabitation results in birth of a child
• People bellow 18 years of age to be considered minor
• Even people with children to be allowed to adopt children
• Landlords required to sign a document if they rent out their rooms for more than Rs 20,000 per month
• Parents to be held responsible for their children’s acts
• One can employ a minor above the age of 14 but will have to make provisions for his/her education and give reasonable remuneration
• Witnesses to be allowed to record statement through video conference
• Life term will mean 25 years in jail
• Jail sentence till death for six serious crimes
• Chhaupadi and dowry defined as criminal offences