New laws to ensure speedy justice : CJ
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 18 2024: The valedictory function of the 2-day orientation programme on new criminal laws organised by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) in collaboration with the Law & Legislative Affairs Department was held at the City Convention Centre, today.

The programme began yesterday with Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur Siddharth Mridul attending as the chief guest.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma (Judge of High Court of Manipur), Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu (Judge of High Court of Manipur), Special Chief Secretary MH Khan, DGP Rajiv Singh were the guests of honour of the inaugural function.

On the opening day, Justice Siddharth Mridul stated that the main focus of orientation programme is to understand the new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and 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 .

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 implementing these new laws is to introduce efficient and expeditious investigations, speedy and fair trials and just punishment, he said.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu also highlighted some of the important changes in the new criminal laws.

They opined that introduction of these new laws is to modernize the legal framework and better reflect the needs and aspirations of the society.

DGP Rajiv Singh, on the other hand, said that India need its own set of laws which would be in sync with the aspirations of the Indian population.

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

Judge of Family Court, Imphal East RK Memcha Devi and District & Sessions Judge, Imphal East Ningthoujam Lanleima spoke on the topic "Trial Procedure under BNSS" and "Additional offence under BNS and objective for the introduction of BNS" respectively as resource persons on the first day of the programme while Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal East Sarungbam Mangaleibi and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kakching Neera Sinam spoke on the topic "Pre-trial procedure under BNSS" and "Seizure & preliminary enquiry under BNSS" respectively.

On the second day, Research Fellow of National Judicial Academy, Bhopal Shruti Jane Eusebius spoke on the topic "Changes, developments & challenges in terror related offences in the new Criminal Laws" while Director of CDTI, Hyderabad Rajasekhara N spoke on "Review of BNSS, addition, deletions & modifications" .

The Programme was attended by more than 400 participants consisting of Judicial Officers, police officers, Paramilitary forces and Public Prosecutors among others.

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