Nagaland University organized a lecture program to coincide with the enforcement of three new criminal laws on July 1, 2024. The “Lecture on Three New Criminal Laws” was held in hybrid mode at 12 noon, with the physical venue being the conference hall in the Examination Building, Nagaland University, Lumami.
Chaired by Peter Ki, PRO of Nagaland University, the lecture featured two resource persons. Prof. Subhram Rajkhowa from USTM and former Dean & Head of the P.G. Department of Law at Gauhati University delivered his lecture online. Dr. Rumi Dhar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Law at Nagaland University, delivered her lecture in person.
During his presentation, Prof. Subhram Rajkhowa provided background on the enactment of the three new criminal laws. He mentioned that in 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a committee chaired by Dr. Ranbir Singh (former VC of National Law University Delhi) to review the existing Codes of Criminal Law: the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA). The bills received presidential assent on December 25, 2023, thereby becoming Acts. Prof. Rajkhowa highlighted that while the old IPC had 511 sections, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita now has 358 sections; the old CrPC had 484 sections, whereas the new Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita now comprises 531 sections; and the old Evidence Act had 167 sections compared to the new Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam with 170 Sections. He also emphasized key provisions of the BNSS Act, such as mandatory timelines for rape examinations within 7 days, judgment within 30 days of concluding arguments (extendable), informing victims of investigation progress within 90 days, filing plea bargains within 30 days from the framing of charges, and framing charges within 60 days from the first hearing. Prof. Rajkhowa further discussed the implications of the sedition laws in the country.
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In her lecture, Dr. Rumi Dhar addressed the necessity of these new Acts, explaining their key features and benefits for criminal law reform in India. She highlighted advancements such as electronic trials, expanded provisions for medical examinations in rape cases, and the introduction of the concept of Zero FIR.
Following the lectures, there was a Q&A session where questions were directed to both resource persons. Prof. J.K. Patnaik, VC of Nagaland University and the Chief guest, emphasized the need to shed colonial vestiges from the legal framework, adapting it to the challenges of the 21st century.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks from Ashish Kumar, Hindi Officer & AR In-charge to the Vice-Chancellor.
It may be mentioned that Nagaland University had also organized an Invited Talk-cum-Sensitization Programme and dissemination of information on said three new Criminal Laws on June 3 through virtual mode with experts from the relevant field.
