Workshop on New Criminal Laws Held for Senior Odisha Police Officers

Bhubaneswar: A day-long workshop focusing on the implementation of the country’s new criminal laws was organised today at Police Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, by the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy. The session aimed to equip senior police officers with a deeper understanding of the newly enacted legal framework and its implications for law enforcement practices across the state.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania inaugurated the workshop and introduced the three new legislations—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—which will replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Indian Evidence Act respectively.

Addressing the gathering, the DGP underscored the importance of transitioning towards a justice-centric system that prioritises the rights, dignity, and protection of citizens over punitive measures. He noted that the success of the new legal regime would depend significantly on how effectively senior officers guide their teams in implementing the revised laws at the grassroots level.

Former Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Dharam Chand Jain and CBI’s Director of Prosecution Padmini Singh participated as key resource persons, offering detailed insights into the structural and functional changes introduced by the new statutes. They emphasised the broader definitions now attributed to crimes such as terrorism, organised murder, and organised crime, and highlighted the integration of modern investigative tools and digital processes like e-FIRs, electronic summons, digital forensics, and video-recorded statements.

The DGP urged police officers to fully grasp the ethos and spirit of the new laws and apply them judiciously to ensure justice delivery and enhance public confidence in policing. He further called on the force to embrace technological advancements and adopt a victim-sensitive approach in investigations.

The workshop witnessed the physical participation of senior police officers from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Superintendents of Police from all districts, Commandants of battalions, and officers from various police ranges across Odisha joined the session virtually.