Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, organized a one-day media workshop, 'VARTALAP'on the three new Criminal Laws- namely the BharatiyaNyayaSanhita (BNS) 2023, the BharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita (BNSS) 2023 and the BharatiyaSakshyaAdhiniyam (BSA) 2023, at Ura Hotel, Kohima today. The new criminal laws will come into force from 1st July, 2024. BharatiyaNyayaSanhita 2023, BharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita 2023 and BharatiyaSakshyaAdhiniyam 2023, will replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

After the implementation of these laws, the entire judicial process, from filing FIR to the passing of court judgments, will be done online and India will become a country with the highest usage of modern technology in its criminal justice system. These laws will ensure that the trend of 'tareekh-pe-tareekh' (giving date after date) is over and a judicial system will be established in the country which will give justice within three years. Addressing the Vartalap, Editor of NEPS News, OkenJeetSandham, said the fundamentals of the law are to deliver justice.In Nagaland's context, he said the interpretation of the laws, particularly the criminal laws, had become complicated because of Article 371A of the Constitution. He further stated that Article 371 A gives special provisions to the State of Nagaland. He said,one can see that elections to the Urban Local Bodies in Nagaland have been held 20 years after the exemption of taxes on Naga lands and buildings because the land and its resources belong to the people under Article 371A,.

Sandham said corruption sometimes damages the judicial system, and thousands of people were denied access to justice and protection of their rights. He said, although sedition in the new criminal law has been deleted, treason has been added. Sandhamhoped that there would be amendments to the new criminal laws in the future, as they should go with the spirit of democratic principles as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Speaking at the Vartalap as Resource Person, UnielKichu, IPS, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Range, Kohima said, media and law enforcement agencies are two institution that the world respect. They are known for bringing many changes in the society, be it political, social, historical and other fields. He said there are instances of many big changes in the society which has been brought about through a very pro-active press by smart, intelligent, dedicated and motivated journalist. Kichu said, the criminal justice system in India was based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Criminal Procedure Code 1973 and Indian Evidence Act 1872. He said more than 150 years has passed since these Acts had been passed and there has been several major amendments, Law Commissions, Court judgments and Committees have done research on these Codes. He said amending these laws or bringing in new laws has been on the cards for some decades and in December, 2023 the Parliament passed these three new laws to make the criminal justice system more organized and citizen-centric.

Kichu said that the  BharatiyaNyaySanhita has mentioned more severe punishment on crime against women and children, indicating the government's commitment towards the safety of women and children.  He added that, taking into accounts the contemporary challenges in the society, new aspects such as Organized crimes, Terrorism and Mandatory Community Services.  Kichu said  the BharatiyaNagarikSurkshaSanhita is a pro-citizen procedure based on the safety and security of the people. He said another new concept of the law is the e-FIR, where citizens can filed FIR online in any police station in the country.

Kichu further said that the concept of electronic and digital evidence, records and statments in the BharatiyaSakshyaAdhiniyam paves the way for police to carry their investigation in a much authenticated manner. Terming it as a revolutionary change, Kichu said we should always be ready to embrace positive change, adapt and improve to meet challenges to bring justice to victims.

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