Officials and participants of the media workshop ‘VARTALAP’ on the three new Criminal Laws at Ura Hotel, Kohima, capital of Nagaland state on June 29. (Photo Courtesy: PIB Kohima)
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Kohima, June 29 (MExN): The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised a one-day media workshop, ‘VARTALAP’ on the three new Criminal Laws- namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 at Ura Hotel, Kohima, capital of Nagaland state on June 29.
A press release issued by the PIB Kohima stated that ddressing the Vartalap, Editor of NEPS News, Oken Jeet Sandham said that 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. “Article 371 A gives special provisions to the State of Nagaland,” he said.
“One can see that elections to the Urban Local Bodies in Nagaland have been held 20 years after the exemption of taxes on Naga lands and buildings because the land and its resources belong to the people under Article 371A,” he added.
Sandham said corruption sometimes damages the judicial system, and thousands of people were denied access to justice and protection of their rights. “Although sedition in the new criminal law has been deleted, treason has been added,” he said.
Sandham 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.
Speaking as the resource person, Uniel Kichu, IPS, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Range, Kohima said, media and law enforcement agencies are two institutions that the world respects. They are known for bringing many changes in the society, be it political, social, and historical and other fields. He said there are instances of many big changes in the society which has been brought about through a very pro-active press by smart, intelligent, dedicated and motivated journalist.
Kichu said that the criminal justice system in India was based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Criminal Procedure Code 1973 and Indian Evidence Act 1872. He said more than 150 years has passed since these Acts had been passed and there have been several major amendments, Law Commissions, Court judgments and Committees have done research on these Codes.
He said amending these laws or bringing in new laws has been on the cards for some decades and in December, 2023 the Parliament passed these three new laws to make the criminal justice system more organized and citizen-centric.
Kichu said that the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has mentioned more severe punishment on crime against women and children, indicating the government's commitment towards the safety of women and children. He added that, taking into accounts the contemporary challenges in the society, new aspects such as organized crimes, terrorism and mandatory community services.
Kichu said the Bharatiya Nagarik Surksha Sanhita is a pro-citizen procedure based on the safety and security of the people. He 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.
The new criminal laws will come into force from July 1, 2024. 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.
