New Criminal Laws aimed at Strengthening Criminal Justice System- NALSAR VC Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao
New criminal laws towards fulfilling people’s aspirations- Former IG of police E.Damodar
Time limits have been put in place for all the investigative procedures enabling speedy justice – N.Rajashekara, IPS, Director, CDTI
HYDERABAD, MAY 27, 2024: In a bid to enhance awareness about the three new Criminal Laws namely Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita-2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita-2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-202, which were passed by the Parliament in the last winter session and which are to be implemented from the next month of July, the Press Information bureau under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held a workshop for senior media professionals in the city today.
Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, in his address said that the three new Criminal laws are aimed at replacing 150-year old British era laws and strengthening the criminal justice system in the country. Prof. Rao brought out that the new Criminal Laws are focussed on justice rather than punishment and ensure victim-centric justice. Elaborating further on the new laws he said that previous constraint of registering an FIR only at the jurisdiction-bound police station has been eliminated, enabling victims to file an FIR at any police station in the country. Importance has been given to crimes against women and children and a provision of punishment for mob lynching, community service as punishment for petty crimes have been introduced. The new laws have removed the archaic provisions and have incorporated gender-neutrality and will go a long way in making the criminal justice system more transparent, he added.
Former IG of police, Andhra Pradesh Mr E Damodar laid emphasis on how the new criminal laws that come into force from July 1 will aid the country use modern technology in its criminal justice system and how the complete process, from filing the FIR to pronouncing court judgment, could be made online. “Timelines have been issued not only for investigation but also for the judges as too many adjournments used to delay court trials earlier. But now, the adjournments have been cut down to two in order to reduce the pendency,” explained Shri Damodar during the workshop.
Mr N. Rajashekara, IPS, Director, CDTI laid emphasis on the changes made in new criminal laws, he pointed towards major changes including more focus on rights of the victim especially for women and children, use of more technology in the judicial system, terrorism, organized crime, concept of minimum punishment, introducing community service as a punishment for petty crime etc,. He highlighted that time limits have been put in place for all the investigative procedures and terminologies have been redefined for example the term ‘child’ now defines anybody younger than 18 years of age etc. In case of cybercrimes punishment, He said Bharatiya Nyaya Samhitha classifies financial scams and cybercrimes, inter alia, as ‘organised crime’. This is a significant change which will lead to stringent penalties for such cyber-crimes, he added.
Mrs Shruti Patil, Additional Director General, PIB in her inaugural address said the new criminal laws are an endevour of the Governmnet to make criminal justice system more accessable, accountable, credible and would enable the criminal justice dispensation to meet the contemporary challenges. Senior officers Mr V. Balakrishna, Director and Mr Manas Krishnakanth, Deputy Director participated in the event. The workshop had representation from all the prominent Media houses of the state of Telangana.
