Fully prepared to implement new criminal laws: Assam DGP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 25, 2024

Assam director general of police (DGP) GyanendraPratap Singh on Tuesday said the state police force is fully prepared to implement the new criminal laws which will replace the colonial-era legislation starting July 1.

The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (NSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will come into force from July 1, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act (IEA), respectively.

Addressing a media workshop on new criminal laws organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) at Assam Police headquarters at Ulubari here, Singh said the implementation of the new laws is a momentous occasion and Assam Police is fully prepared to implement them.

“Around 200 officers of the Assam Police have already received training in criminal forensic science. The officers are trained on the applicability of new laws and how they should perceive them while dealing with the crime and cases related to it,” Singh said.

“Over 500 officers will be trained over a few months. These criminal laws are updated to the needs and requirements of the changing times,” Singh also said.

The DGP said that over 200 officers have been trained as crime scene experts at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar. The state police have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the institute to train a total of 500 officers.

“The training is ongoing in batches. Once the trained officers return, they will train their fellow officers in the state,” the DGP said.

Singh further said the NFSU Guwahati campus is already functional and that a proposal has been submitted to the state government for mobile forensic vans in all districts.

In addition to police officers, public prosecutors and judicial officials are also being prepared for the implementation of the new criminal laws, the DGP added.

Addressing the workshop as the keynote speaker, additional DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta shared a presentation on new criminal laws and highlighted the changes in the three laws.

Gupta asserted that major changes have been made in criminal laws, now more focus is on the rights of the victim especially for women and children. There is use of more technology in the judicial system and community service has been introduced as a punishment for petty crime, he added.

Gupta also said the three laws will focus on justice rather than punishment and are aimed at providing speedy justice.

Gupta mentioned that these laws will make the justice process hassle-free, wherein digital evidence has come at par with physical evidence.

He further said that now cloud storage of a video would be primary evidence.

In his welcome address, K Satish Nambudiripad, DG, NE Zone talked about how the philosophy and approach in the criminal justice system has changed and now the criminal justice system will be more accessible to the people.

Nambudiripad highlighted the vital role played by journalists in creating awareness among the public at large to understand and interpret events happening around them.

He highlighted the rigorous consultative process undertaken by the government with all stakeholders wherein apart from the media workshop, the Ministry of Law and Justice also held a workshop in Guwahati for the stakeholders on May 18 and 19.

The workshop, attended by journalists from various media outlets, provided a platform for interactive sessions and clarifications on the practical applications of the new laws.

Jane Namchu, additional Director General, PIB moderated the question and answer session followed by the workshop.

Officials from I& B Ministry, Assam Police and representatives from all the prominent media houses attended the workshop.