Dehradun: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Dehradun, of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on Monday, oganised a media interaction programme Vartalap at the Saradar Patel Bhawan of the Police Headquarters on the three new criminal laws namely Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (2023) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (2023). Director General of Uttarakhand Police, Shri Abhinav Kumar was the chief guest of the programme. Director General of PIB, Mrs. Pragya Paliwal Gaur was also present on this occasion. Besides this many senior journalists were also present in the programme.
Addressing the journalists, the Director General of PIB New Delhi said that the interaction programme has been organized in collaboration with Uttarakhand Police with the aim of giving detailed discussion to the media about these three new criminal laws. She said that the aim of these three new criminal laws is not to punish anyone but to provide justice. She said that the new laws have been strengthened keeping in mind the country’s defence forces also. Also, the laws are citizen centric , in which crimes related to women and children have been made comprehensively. DG PIB said that with these laws have made criminal justice system more accountable.
Addressing the conversation, the chief guest of the programme, Shri Abhinav Kumar, Director General of Uttarakhand Police, said that for the first time, comprehensive changes have been made through these three new criminal laws passed by the Parliament. He said that these three new laws will affect the police, prosecution, prison system and judiciary, the main organs of the criminal justice system. Briefing the media persons, Shri Kumar said that many changes have been made in the new criminal laws. For example, 190 minor and major changes have been made in the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. Also 360 minor and major changes have been made in the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. 45 changes have been made in the Bhartiya Sakshay Adhiniyam. He said that Uttarakhand police have started imparting training all its officers and police force on these new laws right from they were notified.
The DGP said that six committees have been formed to implement these new laws at the state level. These committees are Manpower Committee, Training Committee, CCTNS Committee, Infrastructure Committee and Police Manual Committee and Awareness Committee. These committees have prepared a plan of action to implement these new laws. He said that forensic investigation has been given utmost priority in the new laws, so that accurate and quick justice can be delivered.
Giving detailed information in the Vartalap key speaker Deputy Inspector General (Training) Mr. Barinderjit Singh briefed the journalists that the new laws give more rights to the victims and citizens. Shri Singh said that the new laws are technically powerful and are committed to provide justice through new technology. He said that there is also a provision for witness protection scheme in the new criminal laws. He said that under the new laws the conviction rate will increase through forensic evidence colection.
The second special speaker in the programme, Additional Superintendent of Police, PTC Narendranagar, Shri Shekhar Suyal, while giving information on three new criminal laws, said that the new laws will rectify the problem of increasing the number of pending cases in the earlier laws. He said that the new laws have been made simple and accessible to the citizens. Mr Suyal said the new laws focused on a range of crimes including terrorism. Addressing the journalists, Mr. Suyal said that the new laws will see comprehensive changes in the four pillars of the criminal justice system: the victim and the general public, the police, the prosecution and the justice system. He said that the new laws give the right to the citizens that a person can complain about the crime committed against him anywhere in the country. Mr. Shekhar said that under the new laws, videography has now been made mandatory in cases of seizure.
At the end of the programme speaker, Assistant Prosecution Officer, Mr. Javed Ahmed, explained the judicial aspect of the three new criminal laws. He said that the purpose of these new laws is to ensure transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Also, the manner in which the conviction rate should be increased has also been explained in detail in these laws. He said that new crimes like organized crimes, terrorism crimes, crimes that threaten the integrity and sovereignty of India have been added to the new laws. The new laws also give priority to provide compensation to the victims. He said that the time limit for deliberations has also been fixed in these laws.
Mr. Rohit Tripathi, Deputy Director of PIB Dehradun, thanked the police department for its cooperation. He said that these three laws will be implemented for better democracy. On this occasion, Additional Director General of Uttarakhand Police CBCID Dr V Murgeshan, Additional Director General Law and Order Mr AP Anshuman and many senior officers of the police department and PIB were also present.