The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, organized a one-day media workshop, ‘VARTALAP’ on the three new criminal laws that are set to come into force from 1st July 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 will replace the Indian Penal Code (1860), Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) and the Indian Evidence Act (1872), respectively.
In a press release, PIB Kohima stated that after the implementation of these laws, the entire judicial process, from filing FIR to the passing of court judgments, will be done online and India will become a country with the highest usage of modern technology in its criminal justice system. These laws will ensure that the trend of ‘tareekh-pe-tareekh’ (giving date after date) is over and a judicial system will be established in the country which will give justice within three years, it added.
Addressing the Vartalap on Saturday in Kohima, Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor of NEPS News, said the fundamentals of the law are to deliver justice. In Nagaland’s context, he said the interpretation of the laws, particularly the criminal laws, had become complicated because of Article 371A of the Constitution that gives special provisions to the State of Nagaland.
Sandham pointed out that corruption sometimes hinders the judicial system and thousands of people were denied access to justice and protection of their rights. Further, he highlighted that although ‘sedition’ has been deleted in the new criminal law, treason has been added.
The Editor of NEPS News also hoped that there would be amendments to the new criminal laws in the future, as they should go with the spirit of democratic principles as enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The PIB Kohima media workshop on 3 New Criminal Laws was attended by Shri Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor NEPS News as special guest while Shri Uniel Kichu, IPS, DIG Range Kohima was the resource person pic.twitter.com/nFQNA2V1Jh
— PIB in Nagaland (@PIBKohima) June 29, 2024
Speaking at the Vartalap as Resource Person, Uniel Kichu, IPS, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Range, Kohima said the three new laws were passed in December 2023 to replace the 150-year-old Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act after much research by Law Commissions, Court judgments and Committees.
Kichu said that the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has mentioned severer punishment on crime against women and children, indicating the government’s commitment towards the safety of women and children. He added that the law takes into accounts the contemporary challenges in the society, new aspects such as Organized crimes, Terrorism and Mandatory Community Services.
On the Bharatiya Nagarik Surksha Sanhita, he said that it is a pro-citizen procedure based on the safety and security of the people. The DIG said another new concept of the law is the e-FIR, where citizens can file FIR online in any police station in the country.
Kichu further said that the concept of electronic and digital evidence, records and statements in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam paves the way for police to carry their investigation in a much authenticated manner. Terming it as a revolutionary change, Kichu said we should always be ready to embrace positive change, adapt and improve to meet challenges to bring justice to victims.
