Patna/Gaya: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inaugurated a two-day state-level conference on the unified implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) at the Mahabodhi Cultural Centre in Bodh Gaya.
The conference, organised jointly by the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) and the Bihar Judicial Academy, aims to strengthen coordination between the judiciary, police and administration for the effective implementation of the new criminal laws across the state.
Focus on coordinated justice delivery
Addressing the inaugural session, Choudhary described the conference as a significant step towards improving the state’s justice delivery system. He said Bihar’s judiciary, police and administration have a shared responsibility to ensure timely justice for the state’s population of more than 14 crore.
He called for regular coordination meetings between the government and the judiciary to improve investigation, prosecution and judicial processes, adding that the new criminal laws should be implemented with a citizen-centric approach.
Fast-track courts and grievance redressal
The chief minister announced that the state would establish 100 fast-track courts to expedite the disposal of criminal cases.
He also highlighted the state’s Sahyog grievance redressal programme, under which public complaints are to be resolved within 30 days. He said district-level camps are held twice a month, while state-level review camps in Patna will hear appeals from applicants dissatisfied with decisions taken at the block level.
Technology to strengthen policing
Choudhary said the government is expanding the use of technology and artificial intelligence in policing and criminal justice.
Police stations are being equipped with CCTV systems, digital tools and scientific investigation facilities, while forensic laboratories, mobile forensic vans and evidence collection systems are being strengthened to support investigations.
He said the average response time under the Dial 112 emergency service has been reduced to around 10 minutes, with the government targeting a response time of seven to eight minutes.
Women’s safety and education initiatives
The chief minister said authorities have been directed to enhance security around schools and colleges to improve the safety of women and girl students.
He also announced plans to establish 211 new degree colleges and 534 model schools across Bihar. Academic activities have commenced at Nalanda University, he said, while efforts are continuing to revive Vikramshila University.
Senior judges and officials attend
The conference was attended by Supreme Court judges Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Patna High Court Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Bihar Judicial Academy Chairman Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Advocate General Satyadarshi Sanjay, BIPARD Director General B Rajender, Home Secretary Kundan Kumar and senior judicial, administrative and police officials from across the state.
Senior officials from different districts also joined the conference through video conferencing to discuss the implementation of the new criminal laws and measures to strengthen coordination across the criminal justice system.
