A media workshop ‘Vartalap’ – was organided today by Press Information Bureau (PIB) Panaji, in association with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and Goa Union Journalists on the three new legislations of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). Inspector General of Police (IGP), Omvir Singh Bishnoi addressed the event as Chief Guest, while Director of Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Dr. N.P Waghmare graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
The event was organised to sensitise media professionals in Goa about the spirit and intent behind the BNS BNSS and BSA. Sessions explaining the rationale for the introduction of these laws and highlighting some important departures from the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act were conducted by Superintendent of Police for North Goa, Akshat Kaushal and Sub-Divisional Police Officer for Canacona, Tikam Singh Verma.
Speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police Omvir Singh Bishnoi described the new legislations as an entirely new direction for the criminal justice system of the country. Referring to July 1st, 2024, the date from which the new laws are set to come in force, as a red-letter day, he described the transition to the new laws as a shift from an archaic colonial system to one which was been designed and drafted for Indians by Indians. Under the British colonial rule, the objective was to punish and control the population, but with these new laws the system can move more efficiently towards ensuring justice, he stated.
IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi further described how under the new laws, timestamped evidence would be stored in a digital locker and made available to courts in a timely manner. He stated how this would improve conviction rates across the country. IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi also underlined the emphasis on time bound verdicts and the limits on adjournments under the new laws.
Dr. N.P Waghmare, Director of Forensic Science Laboratory noted how the new laws mandate the presence of a forensic expert at the scene of crime where punishments are for 7 years or longer. He explained how the BNSS mandates a standardised procedure for recording, collecting, transporting and storing forensic evidence. Dr. N. P Waghmare observed that the role of the forensics department is more defined and structured in the BNSS as opposed to the Criminal Procedure Code. He also informed that the forensic sciences laboratory is equipped and ready for the implementation of the new laws.
Rajtilak Naik, the President of the Goa Union of Journalists appealed to the journalists gathered to use this opportunity clarify all their doubts about the functioning of the criminal justice system. Gautam S Kumar, Deputy Director, PIB in his welcome address highlighted the vital role played by journalists in assisting the public at large to understand and interpret events happening around them. Riyas Babu, Field Publicity Officer at Central Bureau of Communication, Panaji, anchored the event.
The presentations can be downloaded here 👇:
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/may/doc2024522337701.pdf
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/may/doc2024522337501.pdf
