Tuesday, 02 July 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the implementation of three new criminal laws starting from Monday. He stated that these laws are designed to prioritise justice and ensure freedom, human rights and equal treatment for every citizen, instead of focusing solely on punishment as the previous laws did. He said that these changes mark the first comprehensive reform in the criminal justice system since Independence. He stated this while addressing a Press conference at the police headquarters on Monday.
The new three criminal laws- Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 and Indian Evidence Act of 1872 respectively. Dhami said that the new laws put utmost focus on the importance of the safety of women, children and the underprivileged. “The new laws aim to provide transparent and quick justice to all. They have been incorporated with clarity and simplification. Our judicial system will now be completely indigenous, operating according to the laws made by India, for India and by the Indian Parliament. These new laws will further strengthen law and order along with protecting the rights of the citizens. For the first time since Independence, our laws completely define terrorism, organised crimes and economic crimes. Mob lynching has been clearly defined and clear provisions have been made for prosecution even in the absence of fugitives. The introduction of community service as punishment for very minor crimes is also a revolutionary step,” the CM said.
The CM also launched the IO app regarding new laws and distributed tablets to investigating officers.
Besides this, the chief secretary Radha Raturi also said that the new laws uplift the weaker sections of the society. “The use of technology and forensic science has been emphasised in the new laws. When a crime is reported, the investigating officer will be able to promptly visit the scene and gather evidence with the help of forensics, ensuring thorough and scientific investigation. This will significantly improve the possibility of achieving justice on time. The new laws will be implemented systematically in the State,” Raturi said.
The director general of police Abhinav Kumar also welcomed the introduction and implementation of the new laws as the most revolutionary change in the Indian judicial system since independence. He said, “This is the most revolutionary change in our judicial system since independence. These laws have been formulated to align with modern times and technologies. We are fully committed to implementing these laws across the State. The Police have been taking all the steps to ensure all police officers and personnel are educated and well informed about the new laws for proper functioning.”
