State scribes sensitised on new criminal laws
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB
Imphal, July 03 2024:
Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcast ing, Press Information Bureau, Imphal Regional Office organised a one-day media workshop "Vartalap (Media Workshop)" on "Three new criminal laws" for the state's journalists at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday.
The three new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) - which came into effect from July 1, 2024, replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act.
Around 50 journalists from different media houses based in Imphal and other districts participated in the workshop.
Speaking on the occasion as resource person, SP (Prosecution) Haobam Sanghamita pointed out the new laws are justice-focused approach, integrating technological advancements in police investigations and court procedures.
The hew laws include new offences like terrorism, mob lynching, organised crime, and enhanced punishments for crimes against women and children, she informed.
For the time being, police officers are being asked to invoke other allied sections under the BNS, such as wrongful confinement and physical harm, if they receive complaints, until an amendment is brought to correct this anomaly.
The IPC and CrPC will run concurrently along with the new laws as several cases are still pending in the courts and some crimes that took place before July 1, 2024 and reported later will have to be registered under the IPC, the SP explained.
She then informed that First Information Reports (FIRs) can now be hied online through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS), allowing e-FIRs and zero FIRs in multiple languages without needing to visit a police station.
The introduction of BNS brings forth a spectrum of new legal provisions, each with its implications and contentious points.
Among these, she pointed out, is Clause 69, which criminalises sexual offences under "deceitful means".
According to the provision, individuals who engage in sexual relations through deceit, such as false promises of employment or marriage without intention to fulfil them, could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, accompanied by fines.
A notable departure from the existing legal framework is the extension of police custody period from the previous 15 days under the CrPC to up to 90 days under Clause 187(3) of BNSS, she said, adding that such shift aims to expedite trials and adopt a victim-centric approach, even though critics have expressed concerns about potential misuse and its impact on custodial rights.
Amidst these changes, BNSS introduces community service as an alternative to imprisonment for minor offenses like theft or defamation, aiming to reduce overcrowding in prisons.
However, the law lacks a clear definition of community service, leaving its implementation at the discretion of judges, the officer observed.
The inclusion of marital rape of minor wives under rape laws addresses a longstanding gap, aligning with the Supreme Court's directives and acknowledging discrepancies in IPC provisions, the SP further stated.
In his address, Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) president Khogendro Khomdram observed that the three new laws are being seen in bad light on social media platforms.
However, the CM announced the implementation of the new laws on July 1, assuring that the laws will greatly benefit the people.
He then mentioned the difficulties faced by the media while working in the state and as such, stressed the need for media to understand the laws in detail.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) president Bijoy Kakchingtabam emphasised the need for in-depth study on the three new criminal laws.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by media persons working in Manipur, while emphasising that subject experts explain the laws in detail to the journalists, who would in turn help the masses to better understand the same.