Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government is poised to usher in a new era of criminal justice with the upcoming implementation of three transformative laws: the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
These laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively, from July 01 next, an official press release said.
The state government has undertaken extensive preparations, including comprehensive training programs for public prosecutors in collaboration with the Northeastern Judicial Officers’ Training Institute (NEJOTI), Guwahati.
Plans are underway to establish a Directorate of Prosecution and create specialized posts to ensure the effective functioning of these laws. Prison officers have also undergone training to acquaint themselves with the new legal framework, supported by courses organized by the Central Detective Training Institute (CDTI), Kolkata, and the Regional Institute of Correctional Administration (RICA), Kolkata.
The state police force has been a focus of intensive training, with over 450 officers trained across various ranks. This includes both online and offline sessions aimed at equipping them with the necessary knowledge to enforce the new laws effectively.
Technological integration efforts include updates to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) to align with the new laws and the introduction of the e-Sakshya App for enhanced evidence recording at crime scenes.
Administratively, a State Level Steering Committee and district-level committees have been formed to oversee the transition. Awareness programs are planned across police stations and district administrations to educate stakeholders about the new legal framework.
To mark the occasion, an awareness program will be held on July 1, 2024, at all police stations in the state.
The launch of the “Anveshan Sangrah” handbook by Justice Kardak Ete of the Guwahati High Court aims to guide investigating officers in effectively implementing the new laws.
These initiatives underscore Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to modernizing its criminal justice system and enhancing law enforcement capabilities, the press release added.
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