Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 28 June 2024
Andaman & Nicobar Police have embarked on a comprehensive initiative to educate the public about three newly enacted criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
In light of the significant changes these laws bring to the criminal justice system, the Nicobar District Police organized a virtual press conference on 27th June 2024. Mr. Sunny Gupta, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District, addressed the media, outlining the district police’s readiness to implement the new laws and emphasising their citizen-centric and reformative features.
Key features discussed included the facilitation of online FIR registration (e-FIR) and the introduction of Zero FIR provisions, allowing citizens to file FIRs from any location in the country. Additionally, the new laws provide for the virtual tendering of evidence at designated locations, eliminating the need for physical court appearances. The use of technology during search and seizure procedures is expected to ensure greater transparency in police investigations.
Victim-centric provisions were also highlighted, such as the free supply of FIR copies to victims and a requirement for investigation officers to update victims on the investigation status within 90 days. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, also addresses new offences like mob lynching, organized crimes, terrorism, and crimes perpetrated from outside India.
To ensure effective implementation, the Nicobar District Police have trained all personnel on both the legal and technical aspects of the new laws. Officers have completed certification courses on the iGOT Karamyogi platform, and Master Trainers are stationed at each police station to provide ongoing education and support. So far, 51 awareness programs have been conducted across the district to inform citizens about their rights and responsibilities under the new laws.
Mr. Gupta fielded questions from the media, providing clarity on various aspects of the new legislation. He concluded the conference with a call to media houses to widely circulate information about the new laws, which come into effect on July 1, 2023, and to highlight their core citizen-centric, victim-centric, and reformatory provisions to the general public.