July 1, 2024

Blogs

Webinar Recap: Securing The Future Of BFSI With Digital Signatures

With technology moving at a fast pace, digital signatures stand as a testament to the innovation’s next step ahead. Imagine having the ability to swiftly and securely authenticate documents with just a click of a button. A marvel of modern technology, digital signatures are not just electronic scribbles but cryptographic algorithms that provide the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. This technological advancement is not just a convenience but a necessity.

On Friday, 28 June 2024, AuthBridge conducted an insightful webinar exploring the ever-changing landscape of the BFSI industry with digital signatures making a significant shift towards seamless transactions. Our webinar, moderated by AuthBridge’s own Mansi Bhatia, featured two esteemed speakers:

Aniket Poddar, Managing Director at Jeevan Utthan Financial Services
Harish Damodaran, VP of Fintech Solutions at AuthBridge.

Click on this link to watch the full webinar recording, on demand.

In the meantime, here is a quick webinar recap for you.

Challenges With Traditional Paper-Based Processes

Aniket began the webinar by highlighting the difficulties faced by NBFCs, particularly those serving rural areas. “The first step is for us to understand our borrowers, our employees, and their educational levels,” he said focusing on the unique challenges encountered in these regions.

In rural areas, borrowers often struggle with limited literacy, making it difficult for them to fill out lengthy loan application forms. This challenge required them to manually sign each paper. However, with technological advancements revolutionising processes, Jeevan Utthan has succeeded in eliminating the need for handwritten signatures, automating the entire process. By leveraging Aadhaar OTP, they have significantly reduced turnaround times, streamlining their operations to mere seconds.

Expanding on Aniket’s insights, Harish chimed in to highlight the widespread nature of these challenges, emphasising how these are not just confined to the lending industry. He pointed out the inefficiencies associated with filling out endless forms and paperwork that are prevalent in various sectors, including insurance, securities, and beyond.

Aniket then explained deeper into the transition from traditional to digital methods. “While digital signing and OTP-based methods are becoming more common, not everyone has their mobile number linked with Aadhaar,” he stated while mentioning the alternative options for virtual signing. These innovative solutions help build trust and confidence among customers as they smoothly navigate through the shift from traditional to digital processes.

Benefits Of Digital Signatures

The landscape of digital signing methods has undergone a revolutionary transformation in recent years, with automation transforming the entire journey. The digitisation of signatures has played an important role in reshaping this journey, turning what was once a long and tiring process into a streamlined, efficient experience.

Harish explained this with the example of the lending industry, “On one end, you have a customer eager to get a loan as soon as possible, and on the other, a lending institution trying to disburse the loan quickly. Once negotiations are complete and the loan is approved, significant automation is essential. This is where robotic process automation (RPA) comes into play, reducing the time traditionally taken to get a signature.”

Earlier, customers were stuck with a mountain of paperwork, often leading to erroneous signatures and huge delays. However, the automation of processes has eliminated such issues with a significant reduction in the turnaround time.

Further, Aniket shared a real-time example to present the impact of this technological shift. During one of his loan disbursement experiences, a customer expressed her frustration about repeatedly having to call her husband for signatures. She contrasted this with another organization that had automated the entire process using just a click and an Aadhaar OTP. This made them realise how they were lagging behind competitors in embracing new technologies.

Security Concerns And Building Trust

Security is a major deal for both the customer and the lender, especially when it comes to the financial sector. Fortunately, with AuthBridge’s digital signing platform, SignDrive, organisations can ensure transparency and provide an audit trail to reassure both customers and lenders. This platform is ISO-certified, with compliances such as ISO 9001 and 27001 that help keep transparency all around, helping create a secure environment in the entire industry. With audit trails, including time stamps, customers can be completely aware of every document they sign.

Creating A Customer-Centric Experience

In today’s fast-paced world, creating a customer-centric experience is paramount, especially in the financial sector. Because obviously who wants to wait around for a loan? That too when you need money fast. To describe this, Harish rightly pointed out three key elements crucial in achieving this:

Transparency

In any process, especially when it comes to lending, every individual craves clarity and openness. Digitizing signatures and documents ensures a transparent, easy-to-understand system where customers can trust the process and feel confident in their decisions.

Urgency

Microfinance customers often need loans to address immediate concerns. Leveraging technology to streamline and speed up processes helps both lending institutions and customers, enabling quicker access to necessary funds.

Convenience

Imagine having the comfort of signing documents from anywhere, at any time. By providing the ability to sign securely from anywhere, customers are not restricted by logistics or timings.

Addressing Potential Frauds

Concerns regarding potential fraud are tackled comprehensively from both the employee and customer perspectives. To explain this, Aniket significantly highlighted Jeevan Utthan’s approach, implementing diverse training panels and modules. These include regular presentations and training sessions in collaboration with various organizations. Their field agents undergo rigorous training, ensuring they are well-prepared to educate and support borrowers effectively.

When it comes to borrowers, there’s a noticeable shift towards adopting paperless initiatives and digital signing. Borrowers have increasingly embraced digital signatures and Aadhaar OTP methods, recognizing the convenience, safety, and security they provide in today’s digital landscape.

Improvements In Turnaround Time (TAT)

When it comes to reduction in TAT, Jeevan Utthan has successfully managed to reduce its turnaround times for loan disbursement. Initially, they streamlined their process to initiate loan disbursement within 15 days. Moving forward they have managed to further optimise it to 10 days, leading to making it a 48 to 32 hours process. “Thanks to technology from AuthBridge and SignDrive, we’re aiming for on-tap disbursement, reducing TAT to just 24 hours,” stated Aniket expressing his confidence in these advancements.

Future Of Digital Transformation

Lastly, when asked about the future of digitisation or digital transformation, both Harish and Aniket shared positive perspectives.

Harish emphasised the diverse nature of digitisation, highlighting its role in enhancing the customer journey. He predicted the trend moving forward, with institutions embracing more integrated processes for convenience.

Aniket agreed with Harish’s viewpoints expressing a strong belief in the industry’s future.

Webinar Q&A Session

During the webinar, numerous participants posed insightful questions that enriched the audience’s understanding of our digital e-signing platform, SignDrive. Here are some of the key questions and answers:

Q1. How are digital signatures used in the engineering valuations?

Digital signatures can revolutionize engineering valuations, particularly when contracts are involved. Our platform allows for complete automation of the signing process, defining workflows to determine who needs to sign the contract and when. The true beauty of SignDrive lies in its customizability. Users can tailor their workflows according to their specific processes, selecting signatories and establishing signing frequencies that suit their unique needs.

Q2. From a tech standpoint, how do you ensure compliance with RBI and other regulatory norms?

SignDrive’s platform is ISO-certified, boasting compliances such as ISO 9001 and 27001. We adhere strictly to RBI guidelines by offering Aadhaar-based signatures, authenticated signatures, digital signatures, and electronic signatures. To ensure the authenticity of signatures, we maintain comprehensive audit trails. These records document the entire process, identifying signatories and capturing live images during the signing, thus ensuring full transparency and regulatory compliance.

Q3. How fast has loan approval become with the adoption of digital signatures?

The adoption of digital signatures has not only accelerated the loan approval process but has made it lightning-fast, significantly reducing turnaround times (TAT).

Q4. Can you elaborate on the use of digital signatures in other industries?

Digital signatures extend far beyond the BFSI sector. Any industry dealing with contracts and agreements can benefit from SignDrive.

Q5. Have digital signatures improved customer satisfaction beyond speeding up the loan processing time?

Absolutely! With digital signatures, customer satisfaction has improved to a great extent. With everything happening digitally, customers no longer have to go through piles of paper signing them, enjoying a smoother and more efficient experience.

By Abhinandan, 6 monthsJuly 1, 2024 ago

Blogs

New Indian Criminal Laws 2024: Key Highlights, Impact

In a landmark move, India has undertaken a sweeping overhaul of its criminal justice system with the introduction of three pivotal laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Having gone into effect from July 1, 2024, these new laws replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, and are poised to bring significant reforms aimed at modernising and streamlining the country’s legal framework.

These reforms are not just a cosmetic update but a comprehensive reworking of India’s criminal laws to better align with contemporary realities. The new laws aim to address the long-standing inefficiencies and inadequacies of the existing statutes, which have been criticised for being outdated and unresponsive to the needs of modern society. The drive for these changes was fueled by the necessity to enhance legal procedures, integrate technological advancements, and ensure a more robust protection of citizens’ rights.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita focuses on substantive criminal law, aiming to simplify and update the legal provisions to reflect current societal values and technological advancements. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita overhauls procedural aspects, ensuring quicker and more efficient justice delivery. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam modernises the rules of evidence to include digital and electronic records, which are increasingly relevant in today’s digital age.

These reforms are anticipated to have a profound impact on various sectors, from law enforcement and judiciary to the general public. By introducing measures like digitalisation of processes, videography in search and seizure, and forensic science integration, the new laws aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the criminal justice system.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita marks a transformative shift in India’s approach to substantive criminal law. This comprehensive legislation replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, which had remained largely unchanged since its inception during the British colonial era. The new code seeks to modernise and rationalise the legal framework to address contemporary issues effectively.

Here are the key highlights of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:

Replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

The transition from the IPC to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is characterised by a significant reduction and simplification of legal provisions. The IPC’s 511 sections have been streamlined to a more concise and accessible format, focusing on clarity and ease of application. This restructuring aims to remove ambiguities and redundancies that have plagued the old system, ensuring that the law is more straightforward and comprehensible for both legal practitioners and the general public.

Simplification and Reduction of Sections

The new code has eliminated many outdated and redundant sections from the IPC, replacing them with more precise and relevant provisions. For instance, older terms and definitions that had become archaic or irrelevant have been updated to reflect current legal and social contexts. This move is aimed at making the legal text more user-friendly and eliminating the complexities that often lead to misinterpretation and misuse.

Enhanced Focus on Crimes Against Women and Children

One of the significant emphases of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is the protection of women and children, reflecting the increased societal focus on these vulnerable groups. The new code introduces stringent measures to combat crimes such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence. For example, the punishment for rape has been made more severe, with provisions for life imprisonment and even the death penalty in cases involving minors or extreme brutality. Additionally, new sections have been introduced to address stalking, acid attacks, and other forms of gender-based violence comprehensively.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita New Provisions and Amendments

Introduction of New Offences

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita addresses several emerging forms of crime that were inadequately covered under the IPC. Cybercrime, for instance, has received significant attention. New sections have been dedicated to offences such as hacking, identity theft, and online harassment. Given the rapid increase in digital transactions and internet usage, these provisions are crucial for protecting individuals and businesses from cyber threats.

Financial crimes have also been a focus area. The new code includes stringent measures against financial frauds like Ponzi schemes, insider trading, and large-scale financial scams. This is particularly important in an era where financial crimes have become increasingly sophisticated and globalised.

Environmental crimes are another new inclusion. The code introduces penalties for activities that cause significant harm to the environment, such as illegal mining, deforestation, and pollution. These provisions aim to align India’s legal framework with global environmental standards and commitments.

Repealed and Modified Sections

Several sections from the IPC have been repealed or substantially modified to better align with contemporary legal and societal norms. For example, the controversial sedition law has been redefined to prevent its misuse while ensuring that it remains effective in protecting national security. The new definition focuses on acts that directly incite violence or pose a clear and present danger to public order, thereby narrowing its scope and preventing arbitrary applications.

Property offences have also seen significant updates. The definitions and penalties for theft, burglary, and fraud have been modernised to reflect new forms of these crimes. For instance, provisions now account for digital theft and identity fraud, ensuring that the law keeps pace with technological advancements.

Download Link for Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita – Click Here.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, replaces the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1898, bringing significant reforms aimed at enhancing the procedural aspects of the criminal justice system. This new legislation focuses on modernising investigative and trial processes, improving the efficiency and transparency of law enforcement, and ensuring faster delivery of justice.

Here are the key highlights of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Replacing the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)

The overhaul of the CrPC was driven by the need to update procedural laws to keep pace with technological advancements and changing societal needs. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita aims to eliminate procedural delays, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and introduce more effective methods for crime investigation and prosecution.

Digitalisation and Modernisation

One of the standout features of the new code is the extensive incorporation of digital technologies. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita mandates the use of digital records and e-governance platforms to streamline the documentation and tracking of cases. This move is expected to significantly reduce paperwork, minimise errors, and enhance the accessibility of case information for all stakeholders.

For instance, the introduction of e-FIR (First Information Report) allows individuals to lodge complaints online, making the process more accessible and efficient. This is particularly beneficial in remote and rural areas where access to police stations may be limited. Additionally, digital platforms for tracking the status of complaints and investigations provide greater transparency and accountability.

Introduction of Zero FIR and e-FIR

The concept of Zero FIR has been formalised and expanded under the new code. Zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction, which is then transferred to the appropriate station. This provision is crucial in ensuring timely action in cases of serious crimes, particularly those involving women and children.

The e-FIR system enhances this further by enabling the filing of FIRs through online platforms. This not only simplifies the process for citizens but also helps in creating a digital trail that can be easily monitored and audited, reducing instances of corruption and negligence.

Procedural Improvements

Videography in Search and Seizure Operations

To enhance the integrity of search and seizure operations, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita mandates the videography of such procedures. This measure aims to prevent tampering and ensure that all actions taken by law enforcement are documented and transparent. The use of body cameras and other recording devices is expected to increase accountability and build public trust in the police force.

Provisions for Speedy Trials

Recognising the chronic issue of delayed justice, the new code introduces several measures to expedite trials. These include stricter timelines for the completion of investigations and trials and the establishment of fast-track courts for handling cases of serious offences. The law also provides for summary trials in cases of minor offences, ensuring that these do not clog the judicial system and that justice is delivered swiftly.

Download Link for the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita – Click here

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, represents a significant update to the rules of evidence, replacing the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. This new law aims to modernise the evidentiary framework, integrating contemporary standards and addressing the challenges posed by digital and electronic records.

Here are the key highlights of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

Replacing the Indian Evidence Act

The overhaul of the Indian Evidence Act is driven by the need to align legal practices with modern technological advancements and societal changes. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam introduces new definitions, expands the scope of admissible evidence, and ensures that the legal framework keeps pace with the digital age.

Expansion of the Definition of Evidence

The new law broadens the definition of evidence to include digital and electronic records explicitly. This change is crucial in an era where digital communication and transactions are prevalent. Under the previous act, the admissibility of such evidence often faced challenges due to outdated definitions and a lack of clear guidelines.

For instance, emails, text messages, and digital documents are now explicitly recognised as valid forms of evidence, provided they meet certain authenticity criteria. This expansion ensures that the legal system can effectively handle cases involving cybercrimes, financial frauds, and other offences that heavily rely on digital evidence.

Inclusion of Digital and Electronic Records

To address the complexities of digital evidence, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam includes detailed provisions on the collection, preservation, and presentation of electronic records. These provisions ensure that digital evidence is handled with the same level of scrutiny and reliability as traditional forms of evidence.

The law mandates the use of certified digital signatures and secure authentication methods to verify the integrity of electronic records. Additionally, specific guidelines are provided for the admissibility of digital photographs, videos, and other multimedia evidence, ensuring that such evidence is not easily manipulated or contested.

Integration of Forensic Science

Establishment of National Forensic Science University

A major highlight of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam is the establishment of the National Forensic Science University. This institution aims to enhance the forensic capabilities of the Indian criminal justice system by providing advanced training, research, and development in forensic science.

The university will serve as a central hub for forensic expertise, offering specialised courses and certification programmes for law enforcement officers, legal professionals, and forensic scientists. This initiative is expected to improve the quality and reliability of forensic evidence presented in courts.

Mandatory Forensic Team Visits for Serious Crimes

To ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation of serious crimes, the new law mandates the involvement of forensic teams in such cases. This requirement aims to standardise the collection and analysis of forensic evidence, minimising the risk of tampering and ensuring that investigations are conducted scientifically.

For example, in cases of homicide, sexual assault, and large-scale financial fraud, forensic experts are required to visit the crime scene, collect evidence, and provide detailed reports. This practice not only strengthens the evidentiary base but also enhances the credibility of the investigation process.

Download Link for Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – Click Here.

Impact on the Criminal Justice System

The introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam in 2023 is expected to have a profound impact on India’s criminal justice system. These reforms are designed to enhance efficiency, improve conviction rates, and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.

Improving Conviction Rates

One of the primary goals of the new laws is to improve conviction rates by making the legal process more efficient and reliable. The integration of digital and forensic evidence plays a crucial role in this regard. By providing clear guidelines for the collection and presentation of electronic records, the new laws ensure that such evidence is admissible and credible in court. This is particularly important in cases involving cybercrimes and financial frauds, where digital evidence is often pivotal.

Use of Scientific and Forensic Evidence

The mandatory involvement of forensic teams in serious crimes, as stipulated by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, is expected to significantly enhance the quality of investigations. Forensic experts can provide critical insights that help establish the facts of a case, reducing the likelihood of wrongful convictions and ensuring that justice is served. For example, the use of DNA evidence has been instrumental in solving cold cases and exonerating the innocent, as seen in numerous instances worldwide.

Mobile Forensic Labs and Quick Analysis

To further bolster the use of forensic evidence, the government has introduced mobile forensic labs that can quickly reach crime scenes and provide timely analysis. These labs are equipped with the latest technology to perform on-the-spot testing and analysis, reducing the time taken to process evidence and improving the overall efficiency of the criminal justice system. This initiative has been successfully implemented in several states, leading to faster resolution of cases and higher conviction rates.

Protecting Citizens’ Rights With The New Criminal Laws

The new laws also place a strong emphasis on protecting the rights of citizens, particularly victims of crime. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes provisions for victim compensation and support, ensuring that victims receive the necessary assistance and justice. Additionally, the laws mandate transparency and accountability in law enforcement, with measures such as videography of search and seizure operations and digital tracking of cases.

Victims’ Rights and Protection Measures

For instance, the new provisions for victim compensation are designed to provide financial support and rehabilitation to victims of serious crimes. This is a significant step towards recognising the impact of crime on victims and ensuring that they receive the necessary resources to rebuild their lives. The law also includes measures to protect witnesses, such as anonymity and protection programs, to ensure that they can testify without fear of retaliation.

Transparency and Accountability in Law Enforcement

The use of body cameras and videography in police operations is another crucial aspect of the new laws. These measures are intended to increase transparency and accountability, reducing instances of misconduct and abuse of power by law enforcement officers. For example, studies in countries where body cameras have been implemented have shown a reduction in complaints against police officers and an increase in public trust.

Legal Considerations With The New Criminal Laws

The introduction of the new criminal laws in India brings about several legal and ethical considerations that must be addressed to ensure a fair and just implementation. These considerations revolve around balancing modernisation with tradition, protecting privacy and human rights, and ensuring non-discriminatory practices.

Balancing Modernisation with Tradition

The new laws aim to modernise India’s criminal justice system by incorporating contemporary legal standards and technological advancements. However, this modernisation must be balanced with respect for traditional values and practices that are deeply rooted in Indian society.

Addressing Colonial Influences

One of the primary motivations behind the new laws is to remove the colonial legacy embedded in the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act. These laws, established during British rule, often reflected colonial interests rather than the needs of Indian society. By redefining and updating these laws, India seeks to create a legal framework that is more aligned with its democratic values and cultural context.

Adapting to Contemporary Legal Standards

While addressing colonial influences, it is crucial that the new laws also align with contemporary global legal standards. This includes adopting best practices from other jurisdictions and ensuring that the laws are adaptable to future changes. For example, the inclusion of digital evidence and cybercrime provisions brings India’s legal framework in line with international standards, ensuring better cooperation and understanding in transnational crime investigations.

Privacy and Human Rights Issues

Concerns over Digital Privacy
The new laws’ emphasis on digital evidence and e-governance raises significant concerns about digital privacy. While the use of technology can enhance efficiency and transparency, it also poses risks to individuals’ privacy rights. Ensuring that digital records are protected from unauthorised access and misuse is critical. The laws include provisions for data protection and cybersecurity measures to address these concerns, but their effective implementation will be crucial.
Ensuring Non-discriminatory Practices
Another ethical consideration is ensuring that the new laws are applied uniformly and without discrimination. This includes protecting the rights of marginalised and vulnerable groups who might be disproportionately affected by law enforcement practices. For example, the mandatory videography of police operations aims to increase accountability and reduce instances of discrimination and abuse by law enforcement officers.

Implementation Of New Indian Criminal Laws

Training and Capacity Building

A critical component of the successful implementation of the new laws is the training and capacity building of law enforcement officers, judicial personnel, and other stakeholders. The government has already initiated extensive training programmes, with over 5.65 lakh officials being trained to handle the new legal provisions and procedural changes. Continuous education and skill development will be essential to keep pace with evolving legal standards and technological advancements.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Public awareness campaigns are crucial to ensure that citizens are informed about their rights and responsibilities under the new laws. These campaigns can help build public trust and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Effective communication strategies, including social media outreach, community workshops, and educational programmes, will play a vital role in disseminating information about the new legal framework.

Addressing Potential Hurdles

Resistance to Change

One of the significant challenges in implementing the new laws is overcoming resistance to change. This resistance can stem from various quarters, including law enforcement agencies accustomed to old procedures, legal professionals wary of new practices, and the general public’s scepticism towards new regulations. Addressing this resistance requires a combination of incentives, continuous education, and demonstrating the benefits of the new system through successful case studies and pilot projects.

Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

To ensure that the new laws achieve their intended objectives, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms must be put in place. This includes setting up independent bodies to oversee the implementation process, regular audits, and feedback systems to identify and rectify issues promptly. Data-driven approaches can help in assessing the impact of the reforms and making necessary adjustments.

FAQs around the new Indian criminal laws 2024

What is the new criminal law?

India’s new criminal law, introduced in 2023, includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, to modernise and streamline the criminal justice system, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and alignment with contemporary needs.

What are the new laws in July 2024?

India’s new criminal laws, effective July 1, 2024, include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which replace the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, to modernise and streamline the criminal justice system.

What is new in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and introduces updated legal provisions, including stricter penalties for gender-based crimes and new sections for cybercrimes and financial frauds, aiming to modernise and streamline India’s criminal law.

What are three new criminal laws?

The three new criminal laws are the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, replacing the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act.

What are the new laws replacing IPC?

The new law replacing the IPC is the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

What is the new criminal justice law?

The new criminal justice law is the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

By Abhinandan, 6 monthsJuly 1, 2024 ago

Background Checks

What’s New at AuthBridge | June Exciting Product Updates

Here we are again with another month of exciting advancements.

We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of identity verification and risk management technology, and we’re thrilled to share the latest updates designed to empower your business.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the details of our new features, functionality enhancements, and platform integrations – all meticulously crafted to elevate your user experience and streamline your workflows.

SignDrive

Auto Signing Feature: Now the signing process is made much faster and seamless! Once a signer clicks on the Signing tag, then all other signature tags get automatically filled and the journey ends. This leads to better user experience and especially in cases of blue-collar workers who ain’t that tech-friendly this feature helps in reducing drop-offs. The auto-signing feature will simplify the signing process, reducing the risk of errors or confusion, and eliminating the need to repetitively add signatures – making the process faster.

Configurable Consent Box: E-signatures often require signers to acknowledge their consent to terms and conditions. The configurable consent box enhances this by allowing customization to better suit specific situations. The consent can be customised to reflect the specific agreement or contract being signed. This ensures clarity and offers greater transparency and flexibility in the e-signing process.

Vernacular Texts: Multilingual capabilities are becoming increasingly important in e-signatures. With vernacular texts, we offer multiple language support where the e-signature interface and signing journey can be displayed in various languages, catering to a wider audience.

This feature allows for more regional accessibility to users in different regions by providing instructions and prompts in their native language. Not only it will cater to a global audience, but will also ensure a smooth signing experience for everyone involved.

iBridge

Insufficiency Tracker: In the advanced iBridge dashboard, you can easily track information insufficiencies. You get real-time updates on all pending verifications, and you can slice and dice the data any way you need. With full visibility and control, clients can now easily track where the holdups are and address them immediately.

This will make the onboarding much more seamless than ever. Not only this, clients can schedule a tracker to get live status updates straight to their inboxes. This way, they don’t have to manually check the status and stay always in the loop without any extra effort.

OnboardX

Separate Watchlist for High-Risk Vendors: Now clients can create different watchlists to categorize vendors based on the severity of their risk profile. These watchlists in the OnboardX dashboard can be constantly updated with new details.

A separate watchlist for high-risk vendors allows organizations to manage risk more effectively during the onboarding and contract creation process. By tailoring contract terms and due diligence practices to the specific risk profile of each vendor, organizations can minimize the potential for negative consequences.

This new feature of creating watchlists can trigger a more thorough due diligence process for high-risk vendors, including financial checks, references, and other assessments. Clients can now clearly define performance expectations, response times, and detailed service level agreements for non-compliance.

TruthScreen

Mega PAN: Mega PAN goes beyond just verifying the PAN itself. It can potentially streamline verification processes by offering a one-stop solution for comprehensive PAN details.

It checks the PAN holder’s name, father’s name, and mobile number against the Universal Account Number (UAN). This multi-point verification provides a more robust picture of the PAN’s authenticity.

The verification provides a larger set of details compared to a basic PAN check.

This includes:

Name
Father’s name (matches PAN data)
Email address (if available)
Phone number (matches mobile number against UAN)
Date of birth
Gender
PAN category
Masked Aadhaar number (partial Aadhaar for privacy)
Whether Aadhaar is linked to PAN
UAN (if applicable)
Address

With this wider range of data points being verified, clients can be more confident about the legitimacy of the PAN holder and the information they provide. This can be particularly important for financial transactions or other sensitive interactions.

By Abhinandan, 6 monthsJuly 1, 2024 ago

Employee Screening

Risk & Compliance

Financial Intelligence

Identity Verification

Utilities

Entity/Business Level

Employment

Banking & Payments

Fraud Detection

Professional

Background Verification

Due-Diligence

Title Menu Three

What's New

iBRIDGE 2.0 – The Next-Gen Background Verification Platform

Resource Library

Featured Resource

Challenges With Traditional Paper-Based Processes

Benefits Of Digital Signatures

Security Concerns And Building Trust

Creating A Customer-Centric Experience

Transparency

Urgency

Convenience

Addressing Potential Frauds

Improvements In Turnaround Time (TAT)

Future Of Digital Transformation

Webinar Q&A Session

Q1. How are digital signatures used in the engineering valuations?

Q2. From a tech standpoint, how do you ensure compliance with RBI and other regulatory norms?

Q3. How fast has loan approval become with the adoption of digital signatures?

Q4. Can you elaborate on the use of digital signatures in other industries?

Q5. Have digital signatures improved customer satisfaction beyond speeding up the loan processing time?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Simplification and Reduction of Sections

Enhanced Focus on Crimes Against Women and Children

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita New Provisions and Amendments

Introduction of New Offences

Repealed and Modified Sections

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Replacing the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)

Digitalisation and Modernisation

Introduction of Zero FIR and e-FIR

Procedural Improvements

Videography in Search and Seizure Operations

Provisions for Speedy Trials

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

Replacing the Indian Evidence Act

Expansion of the Definition of Evidence

Inclusion of Digital and Electronic Records

Integration of Forensic Science

Establishment of National Forensic Science University

Mandatory Forensic Team Visits for Serious Crimes

Impact on the Criminal Justice System

Improving Conviction Rates

Use of Scientific and Forensic Evidence

Mobile Forensic Labs and Quick Analysis

Protecting Citizens’ Rights With The New Criminal Laws

Victims’ Rights and Protection Measures

Transparency and Accountability in Law Enforcement

Legal Considerations With The New Criminal Laws

Balancing Modernisation with Tradition

Addressing Colonial Influences

Adapting to Contemporary Legal Standards

Privacy and Human Rights Issues

Implementation Of New Indian Criminal Laws

Training and Capacity Building

Public Awareness Campaigns

Addressing Potential Hurdles

Resistance to Change

Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

FAQs around the new Indian criminal laws 2024

SignDrive

iBridge

OnboardX

TruthScreen

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