Gangtok, July 1 (IPR): A legal Awareness Session on the Three New Criminal Laws of India was held on the premises of State Central Prison, Rongyek, Gangtok. Mr Bidhan Rai of the BAR Association of Sikkim was the Resource Person for the day. The Welcome Address was presented by Ms Savitri Pradhan, ASP, Jail. In her address, she stated that Crime won't exist if everyone is made aware of the laws of the land.
The resource person Mr Bidhan Rai introduced three new laws to commence the session:
1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,2023(BNS)
2. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,2023(BNSS)
3. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,2023(BSA)
The resource person spoke on the key changes to the existing laws and generated awareness about these changes. He also highlighted that the new criminal laws provide a lot of protection to Women and minors through special provisions in the Act.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,2023(BNS) replaced the existing Indian Penal Code-IPC, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023(BNSS) to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure- CrPC and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,2023(BSA) to replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
These Acts were passed by the Parliament in December 2023 and came into force on the 1st of July 2024. The programme had the presence of Ms. Savitri Pradhan, ASP, Jail, Mr. Thendup D Bhutia, Retd Officer, Jail, Officers of the State Central Prison, Para Legal Volunteers and staff of the department.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mr. Sonam Gyatso Bhutia (ASJ) and the programme was coordinated by Mr. Ten Tshering Lepcha, Sub Jailer.