New Delhi [India], February 18: Following a review meeting led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the implementation of new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah provided insights into the ongoing process in the Union Territory. The meeting, which took place in the national capital, was attended by key officials including Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
CM Abdullah praised the implementation efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the role of the Union Territory had been largely positive. However, he acknowledged that there were some areas where improvements were needed. He assured that these weaknesses would be addressed in due course.
“The Home Minister has been continuously reviewing the implementation of criminal laws in various states and Union Territories, and this time it was Jammu and Kashmir’s turn,” said CM Abdullah. He added, “To a large extent, Jammu and Kashmir’s role in the implementation of these laws was good. The areas where there has been a little weakness have been identified, and we will rectify them.”
Furthermore, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about the new laws. While clarifying that it wasn’t the elected government’s direct responsibility to enforce these laws, he stressed the need for citizens to be educated about them. “As these are new laws, people should be aware, and the elected government will need to take steps to create awareness, especially at the level of universities, colleges, and in social or political assemblies,” he said.
The review meeting focused on the implementation of three new criminal laws introduced by the Indian government: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023. These laws have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. The meeting also covered aspects related to police, jails, courts, prosecution, and forensics in the context of these new laws.
Amit Shah has been reviewing the implementation of these laws across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana. The Home Minister’s goal is to ensure that justice is delivered within three years from the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) to a verdict from the highest court.