By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 13: Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang has accentuated the importance of responsible policing and the necessity for updated guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure justice, owing to the enforcement of the new criminal laws.
On July 1, the three new criminal laws, viz. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect by replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
As programmes are being held across India to disseminate awareness on the new criminal laws, the Department of Law of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research – North Eastern Regional Centre (ICSSR-NERC), too, organised a one-day workshop on the ‘Three New Criminal Laws 2023’ at the university campus here on Saturday.
According to a statement here, the DGP, after inaugurating the workshop, delved into the key features and procedural intricacies of the new criminal laws.
During the programme, she also highlighted the challenges posed by new technological advancements, such as electronic documentary evidence, in the context of the new criminal laws.
The one-day workshop featured two significant technical sessions.
The first technical session, which was chaired by the Director of the Directorate of Forensic Science, Shillong, N. Nongkynrih, featured notable resource persons, viz. Senior Advocate at High Court of Meghalaya, SP Mahanta; Public Prosecutor, CBI, Ronak Kumar; DSP, Crime Branch, Bipul Das; and Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal from NEPA.
“Their presentations provided in-depth insights into the practical implications and applications of the new criminal laws,” the statement said.
On the other hand, the second technical session was a panel discussion, chaired by Dr. RK Mishra.
“The discussion addressed various perspectives and interpretations of the new laws, facilitating an engaging and informative dialogue among the participants,” the statement said.
Similarly, the Honorary Director of ICSSR-NERC, Shillong, Prof. B Panda, who was the chief guest, underscored the significance of continued legal education and adaptation to evolving legislative landscapes.
“The workshop was a significant step in fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary criminal laws and enhancing the capacity of legal professionals and law enforcement officers in the region,” the statement said.
