DGP J&K sanctions over Rs 8 lakh for awareness programs on new criminal laws

Initiative aims to educate citizens on modern legal framework replacing colonial-era statutes

In a significant move aimed at modernizing and reforming the justice system in Jammu and Kashmir, the Director General of Police (DGP), R R Swain, has sanctioned over Rs 8.23 lakh for conducting awareness programs on three new criminal laws set to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860; Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. These new laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), will come into effect on July 1, 2024.

The initiative, outlined by the Police Headquarters, involves conducting extensive awareness camps and debates across all 23 districts of the Union Territory. The aim is to enlighten citizens, particularly youth in schools and colleges, as well as women, about the provisions and implications of the new legal framework.

To ensure maximum outreach, district police heads have been instructed to extend these awareness programs to sub-division levels.

The outgoing laws were crafted during the British rule, primarily serving colonial interests. In contrast, the new laws are designed to uphold the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, prioritizing justice over punitive measures.

These new legislations introduce modernized investigation techniques leveraging technology, with provisions to address terrorism, organized crime, and other contemporary challenges. Notably, they emphasize justice for both victims and accused, incorporating advancements in forensic and investigative procedures.

Furthermore, the laws introduce stiffer penalties for certain offenses and cover new categories such as offenses against the state, organized crime, offenses related to terrorism, mob lynching, non-reporting of rash and negligent acts, crimes of snatching, ATM theft, Ponzi schemes, and leaked question papers.

The new laws expand the definition of documents to include electronic or digital records, e-mails, server logs, computers, smart phones, laptops, SMS, websites, locational evidence, mails, messages on devices. Provision has been made in them to digitize the entire process from FIR to case diary, case diary to charge sheet and charge sheet to judgement. Videography has been made compulsory at the time of search and seizure which will be part of the case and will not implicate innocent citizens, without such recording by the police no charge sheet will be valid.

For the first time, e-FIR provision is being introduced, with each district and police station assigning an officer to inform the family of an arrested individual about the arrest both online and in person. In cases of sexual violence, it is mandatory to record the victim’s statement, with video recording also required for cases of sexual harassment.

Related Posts