Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal
- 18th August 2024 : Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) -

*

Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal

The office of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) in collaboration with Law & Legislative Affairs Department, Govt. of Manipur organized a “2-Days Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws” on 17th & 18th August, 2024 at City Convention Centre, Imphal.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur graced the inaugural ceremony of the Orientation Programme on 17th August, 2024 as Chief Guest and Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur; Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Judge, High Court of Manipur, Shri M.H. Khan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur, Shri Rajiv Singh, IPS, Director General of Police, Manipur graced the ceremony as Guests of Honour.

Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur stated that the main focus of Orientation Programme is the recent changes in the criminal laws i.e. the “Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” the “Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,” and the “Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,” which have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act respectively, effective from 1st July 2024.

Hon’ble the Chief Justice stated that the earlier pre-constitutional laws were archaic and sluggish in their implementation for a variety of factors. The purpose behind bringing in these new laws which are harbinger of change was to introduce efficient and expeditious investigations, speedy & fair trial and just punishment.

His Lordship expressed that the programme will ensure that Judicial system evolves in harmony with the changing dynamics of the law & order and also towards enhancing our understanding of the recent developments in criminal laws.

Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal

Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma & Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu also highlighted some of the important changes in the new criminal laws. They also opined that introduction of these new laws is an attempt to modernize the legal framework to better reflect the needs and aspirations of the society.

Shri Rajiv Singh, IPS, Director General of Police, Manipur expressed that old criminal laws introduced during British period had been in place for more than one and half century. However, with the speed at which the country has evolved postindependence and to address the challenges post by this new world, India needed its own set of laws that would be in sync with the aspirations of Indian population.

He also highlighted some of the major changes that has been incorporated in the new criminal laws such as audio-video recording of search & seizure operation, introduction of e-FIR provision, removal of provisions for unnecessary arrest, provision of zero FIR etc.

On the first day of the Programme, Smt. R.K. Memcha Devi, Judge, Family Court, Imphal East & Smt. Ningthoujam Lanleima, District & Sessions Judge, Imphal East as Resource persons spoke on the topic “Trial Procedure under BNSS” & “Additional offence under BNS and objective for the introduction of BNS” respectively.

Further, Ms. Sarungbam Mangaleibi, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal East & Ms. Neera Sinam, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kakching spoke on the topic “Pre-trial procedure under BNSS” and “Seizure & Preliminary Enquiry under BNSS” respectively.

Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal

On the second day, Ms. Shruti Jane Eusebius, Research Fellow National Judicial Academy, Bhopal as Resource person spoke on the topic “Changes, developments & challenges in Terror related offences in the New Criminal Laws” whereas Shri Rajasekhara N., IPS, Director, CDTI, Hyderabad as Resource Person spoke on the topic “Review of BNSS, Addition, Deletions & Modifications”.

Shri W. Tonen Meitei, Judge, Family Court, Thoubal, Smt. A. Tarunakumari Devi, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, Shri M. Manojkumar Singh, Joint Director, Manipur Judicial Academy & Shri Ch. Momon Singh, Lecturer, LMS Law College, Imphal took part as Moderator of the programme.

The Programme was attended by more than 400 participants consisting of Judicial Officers, police officers from all the Districts, Para Military Forces, Public Prosecutors, Members of Bar, Panel Advocates, Remand Advocates, Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Media Persons, officers/representatives from Home Department, Law Department, Forest, Customs, NCB, NIA, Law College, Forensic Science, NIELIT etc.

The entire sessions of the two days Orientation programme was live telecasted on YouTube and the link was widely published in prominent local newspapers for other stakeholders and general public who could not attend the programme physically. The YouTube link has generated more than 8000 viewership.

Orientation Programme on New Criminal Laws at Imphal

(Alek Muivah)
Member Secretary,
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex,
Imphal West - 795004