The Department of Law, Nagaland University, Lumami organized an Invited Talk-cum-Sensitization Programme and dissemination of information on India’s three new Criminal Laws on June 3 through virtual mode (Google Meet Platform) with experts from the relevant field. The Invited talk not only had distinguished speakers but also enthusiastic participants who discussed the three new criminal laws and their implication for ensuring timely justice, informed a press release by the PRO, Nagaland University.
On 1st July 2024, the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) will replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) will replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872; and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) will replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
Chaired by Dr. Rumi Dhar, Asst. Prof, Dept of Law, Nagaland University the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Kuldeep Singh Panwar, HoD, Dept of Law, Nagaland University. Dr. Kuldeep Singh Panwar gave a brief history of the previous laws and highlighted their misuse. He said the new criminal acts have taken into consideration the social needs of the current times. Further, he emphasized that in the changing times, there is a need for the implementation of new laws, reform and its sensitization.
In a brief speech, Prof. M.K. Sinha, Dean, School of Social Sciences, Nagaland University asserted that most of the old laws became irrelevant after India completed 75 years of Independence because they were enacted to suppress and rule and not to govern India. Further, the objective of the new criminal laws is to deliver justice with efficiency and transparency.
Prof. JK Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University in a special address expressed happiness with Dept of Law, Nagaland University for organizing the programme and stated that the new laws are a renewed look into the outdated legal texts. He emphasized the need for a strong legal framework that can cope with the 21st Century challenges, where the security of the State and citizens has gone beyond physical spheres alone. He said it was essential to incorporate the use of technology into the day-to-day delivery of justice.
The resource persons were Prof. Ramesh Chandra Borpatra Gohain and Mr. Anas Tanwir. Prof. Ramesh Chandra Borpatra Gohain is former Dean & Head, PG Dept of Law, Gauhati University, former Advocate General, Assam as well as Designated Senior Advocate, Guwahati High Court. On the other hand, Anas Tanwir is Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
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Prof. Ramesh Chandra Borpatra Gohain analyzed the new laws from the perspective of Indian culture. The essence of the new act is that the foundation of any law should come from the people. He highlighted that criminal justice cannot be made only by depending on these three laws but also called on the justice-delivering mechanisms to be appropriately equipped to address the changing circumstances of crimes.
Anas Tanwir, among others, spoke on forensic investigation, electronic mode of trials, enlargement of the concept of medical examination in rape cases and the concept of Zero FIR.
The Q&A session was moderated by Dr. Rishikesh Singh Faujdar, Asst. Professor, Dept of Law, Nagaland University. The programme ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. Sentikumla, Asst. Professor, Dept of Law, Nagaland University.
