Haryana CS announces awareness programs on new Criminal laws

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief secretary, TVSN Prasad, on Tuesday said that comprehensive awareness programs will be conducted across all 378 police stations and prisons in the State on July 1, 2024. The initiative aims to educate the public about the three new Criminal Laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023.

Prasad shared this during a meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary through video conferencing, here . The meeting reviewed the readiness of the States for the nationwide implementation of these new Criminal Laws starting from July 1.

The Chief Secretary expressed pride in Haryana's role in this significant reform of the criminal justice system and highlighted the steps taken for the smooth rollout of these laws. Approximately 40,000 police personnel, including Investigating Officers (IOs), have been trained at various State training centers. Furthermore, 300 Judicial Officers from Haryana have received training on the new Criminal Laws at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy. Recently, an online training program was conducted for IAS and HCS Officers by the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Gurugram, aimed at familiarizing officers with the intricacies of the new laws. Similar programs will also be conducted at the Divisional Level in offline mode, he added.

Prasad emphasized that all jails in the state are equipped with adequate technical infrastructure, including around 300 desktops. In preparation for virtual court proceedings, 149 video conferencing systems have already been installed across jails and court complexes, with an additional 178 systems set to be procured. He said that all Jail Superintendents in the State have been instructed to launch a special awareness drive targeting prisoners, their relatives/visitors, and jail staff regarding the new Criminal Laws. Pocket booklets outlining the new sections and procedures under these laws have been printed for distribution among field staff.

The meeting was attended by Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur, DGP Prisons Mohd. Akil, and other senior officers from the Home, Prisons, and Law and Legislative Departments.