By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 29 Jun: A presentation was given by Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the three new criminal laws to be implemented with effect from 1 July 2024. These laws are called Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita in place of IPC, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Adhiniyam (Indian Civil Defence Code) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (New Indian Evidence Act). During the presentation, DGP Kumar shared with CM Dhami details in respect of the need for new laws, efforts made to make them and their features. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released the Uttarakhand Police Handbook.
Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the provisions made in the new laws should be ensured to be implemented properly in the state. Adequate arrangements should be made for training for the information of these laws and for the publicity of the new laws through various mediums so that the general public is aware of these laws. The cooperation of the Information Department should be taken for their publicity, he added.
DGP Kumar stated that the earlier laws were very complex, due to which it was difficult for Indian citizens to get justice and raise their voice. The purpose of the earlier laws was to promote British rule and to suppress Indian citizens. As a result of the previous laws, there was a large number of pending cases in the court, low rate of conviction, dissatisfaction of the victim and incomplete action against the criminals. In view of this, the need to make new laws was felt. On 25 December 2023, the bill for new criminal laws got the approval of the President.
Kumar said that it is proposed to implement them in the country from 1 July 2024. These have been prepared after thorough examination during past 4 years on the basis of suggestions given by the public to 18 states, 6 union territories, Supreme Court, 16 High Courts, 5 judicial academies, 22 law universities, 142 Members of Parliament, about 270 MLAs. The new laws have been formed focusing on three main facts justice, equality and fairness. There will be a total of 358 sections in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, whereas in the current law it is 511. 21 new sections have been added, punishment has been increased in 41 sections. Fines have been increased in 82 sections. Provision of minimum punishment has been made in 25 sections, community crimes have been added in 6 sections while 19 sections have been removed. There will be 531 sections in the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, whereas there are 484 sections in the current law. There are a total of 170 sections in the new Indian Evidence Act 2023 as against 166 sections in the current law.
Kumar informed during the presentation that the new laws emphasise on speedy justice, making all the wings of the criminal justice wing system more accountable along with providing more rights to the victims. 6 committees have been formed to implement new laws in the state, which include manpower, training, infrastructure, CCTNS, changes in the Act applicable in the state under the new law and awareness committee. Necessary amendments are proposed in the Acts applicable in the state when the new laws are implemented. In which, apart from the proposal to amend 74 Acts after reviewing 434 local acts of Uttarakhand state, there is a proposal to amend 116 Acts after reviewing 343 Acts of Uttar Pradesh and a proposal to amend 228 Acts of the Centre after reviewing them. He informed that changes have been made in some sections of the Indian Criminal Code.
Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Secretaries Dilip Jawalkar, Chandresh Yadav, ADGs Amit Kumar Sinha and AP Anshuman, IGs Vimmi Sachdeva, Kewal Khurana and Vimala Gunjyal, Special Secretary, Riddhim Agarwal and senior police officers were present on this occasion.
