Bhubaneswar: With an effort for ensuring a robust and efficient democratic legal system, the Government of Odisha has initiated a comprehensive training program for newly appointed non-cadre Public Prosecutors.
The program aims to streamline the delivery of justice and effectively implement the nation’s transformative legal framework, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, Principal Secretary, Department of Law, delivered the welcome address, outlining the duties and responsibilities inherent to the role of a Public Prosecutor.
Minister for Law, Public Works, and Excise, Shri Prithviraj Harichandan, emphasized that providing swift justice to the poor and vulnerable remains the state’s primary objective.
He noted that Public Prosecutors play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the victim and the legal system. The Minister urged the new appointees to utilize the training to master the nuances of the new laws, ensuring that the judicial process moves with greater speed and accuracy.
To maintain high standards of legal practice, Minister Harichandan directed departmental authorities to establish a system for regular training intervals and monthly performance reviews of the prosecutors.
The training program, a joint venture between the Department of Law and the Directorate of Public Prosecution, marks the first organized effort of its kind for non-cadre prosecutors in the state. Historically, such structured training was reserved for cadre-based officials. This curriculum, designed under the Odisha Law Officers’ Rules, 1971, is specifically tailored to be concise and application-oriented.
Key highlights of the training modules include: Practical application of the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, and BSA), Mastery of daily court procedures and professional ethics, strengthening evidence presentation and charge framing techniques, enhancing coordination between investigating agencies and prosecutors and bringing in uniformity in prosecution processes across the state to minimize procedural errors and delays.
The first phase of this initiative has commenced across seven districts: Cuttack, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Balasore, Puri, Koraput, and Angul.
The event also saw participation from Shri Deepti Ranjan Kanungo, Director of Public Prosecution, along with senior law officials. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from the respective districts joined the proceedings via virtual mode.
Officials believe this strategic investment in legal training will lead to higher conviction quality, a reduction in unnecessary adjournments, and ultimately, increased public trust in the judicial system by ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done promptly.