Press Information Bureau, Bengaluru organized a Vartalap (a media interaction) today on the Three New Criminal Laws to sensitize the media about the changes being brought about and their impact on justice system.The Three New Criminal Laws will be coming into force from 01 July 2024, where colonial-era Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Indian Evidence Act will be replaced by Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) respectively.
On this occasion, S.G. Raveendra, Additional Director General, PIB, Bengaluru welcomed D.R. Venkata Sudarshan, Retired Principal District and Session Judge and Smt. Shailaja Krishna Nayak, Public Prosecutor, Prosecutions and Government Litigations, Government of Karnataka, who were the resource persons to educate the media persons present in large numbers. While thanking the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for being the driving force behind the Vartalap on this crucial subject in the state headquarters, ADG, PIB, Bengaluru highlighted the importance and the main objectives of the Vartalap on the Three New Criminal Laws to the attendees. “It is a path breaking change being brought in the criminal laws. It is very important that the legal fraternity is at the forefront of educating the public and media, so that the correct details and impacts of these laws are known to the general public,” said S G Raveendra, ADG, PIB, Bengaluru.
D.R. Venkata Sudarshan enlightened the audience with an enriching session on Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita-2023, Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-2023, highlighting the important changes and their impact on judicial procedures. “The new laws Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita-2023, Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita-2023 and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-2023 are really very good enactments. They are meant for making the common man’s life easier and for ensuring the speedy justice,” said D.R. Venkata Sudarshan, Retired Principal District and Session Judge.
Smt. Shailaja Krishna Nayak, Public Prosecutor, Prosecutions and Government Litigations, Government of Karnataka took session on Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). She underlined the important changes ensuring time bound investigations and speedy justice. She highlighted the importance of digital records being recognized as primary evidences through the enactments. “The three laws will bring comprehensive change in India’s criminal justice system and will also free the citizens from colonial mindset. Apart from that, it will aid and improve the functioning of police. It will ensure the speedy justice. It is to underline as an important change that the digital records have been recognized as primary evidences with these laws”, said Smt. Shailaja Krishna Nayak.
The Vartalap continued till evening and culminated with interactive discussions and question answer rounds. The media persons hailed the sessions as very informative and helpful for good reporting.