New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a crucial meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the National Capital on 9 April to assess the state’s progress in implementing the newly enacted criminal laws.
The primary focus of the discussion of the review of Odisha’s preparedness to adopt and operationalize the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), said a senior official.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Satyabrata Sahu, DGP Y B Khurania, DG Prisons Arun Ray, Special Secretary Home R K Sharma, ADG Crime Branch Vinayatosh Mishra, SCRB Director Santosh Bala, PRC Vishal Gagan and other officials are attending the meeting.
These landmark legislations, which have replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, represent a significant overhaul of India’s criminal justice system.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who assumed office on 12 June, 2024, has provided a detailed update on the steps taken by the Odisha Government to align its legal framework and administrative processes with the central government’s directives.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasized the critical importance of seamless coordination between central and state agencies to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of these new laws.
According to an official release, the BNS, BNSS, and BSA were formally notified in the Gazette of India on December 25, 2023. The meeting between Shah and Majhi is anticipated to address various aspects of implementation, including:
Infrastructure development: Upgrading court facilities, police stations, and forensic laboratories to accommodate the new legal provisions.
Training and capacity building: Equipping law enforcement personnel, judicial officers, and other stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the new legal landscape.
Technological integration: Leveraging technology to streamline criminal justice processes and enhance efficiency.
Public awareness campaigns: Educating citizens about the changes introduced by the new laws.
The outcome of this high-level meeting is expected to have significant implications for the implementation of the new criminal laws in Odisha, and will likely serve as a benchmark for other states across the country.