In a significant effort to empower citizens, particularly women, with knowledge of the three newly enacted criminal laws, the District Administration Baramulla organized a comprehensive awareness programme at the Government Degree College for Boys, Baramulla. The programme was presided by the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa and was attended by legal professionals, police officers, and a large number of women audience and students.
The event aimed to educate the public about the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, which represent a transformative shift in India’s legal framework. The programme was designed to ensure that citizens, especially women, are well-informed about their rights and the legal protections available to them under these new laws.
During the programme, the DC emphasized the importance of legal literacy in fostering a just and equitable society and highlighted the progressive provisions in the new laws that aim to safeguard the rights of women and marginalized communities, ensuring faster justice delivery and enhanced accountability.
Minga Sherpa further stressed that the new laws are not just legal reforms but a step towards building a society where justice is accessible to all. Legal expert provided in-depth talk on the three new criminal laws replacing older laws of the Indian Evidence Act.
They elaborated on the key changes, including the introduction of community service as a form of punishment, streamlined procedures for investigation and trial, and the incorporation of technology in legal processes. A special focus was laid on how the new laws directly impact women, highlighting measures to address crimes against women more effectively, such as stricter penalties for sexual offenses, improved mechanisms for reporting crimes, and enhanced protection for victims during trials.
The session emphasized the importance of women being aware of their rights and encouraged them to actively participate in the legal process and seek justice without fear. The discussion also touched upon the role of community support in ensuring that women feel safe and empowered to report crimes.