Gaya: The two-day National Conference on New Criminal Laws, inaugurated on November 23, by the Chief Justice of Patna High Court, K. Vinod Chandran, concluded successfully at the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD). The event, which spanned November 23-24, brought together a distinguished panel of judicial experts, legal scholars, and senior administrators from across India.
The conference witnessed the participation of notable legal dignitaries, including Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran and justices from various high courts, such as Vipul M. Pancholi, Mohit Kumar Shah, Dr. Anshuman, Vinod S. Bhardwaj, Dr. K. Manmadha Rao, Vivek Agarwal, and Tirthankar Ghosh. The Advocate General of Bihar, P. K. Shahi, also attended, alongside representatives from 26 states and union territories, including substantial contributions from the North-Eastern region.
Over 500 newly appointed Assistant Prosecution Officers joined virtually to gain insights into the evolving criminal justice framework. Vice Chancellors of National Law Universities, senior police officials, home secretaries, and district judges also added to the event’s comprehensive national scope.
The conference focused on the implementation and early effects of the three recently enacted laws—BNSS, BNS, and BSA—which came into effect on July 1, 2024. Discussions evaluated their impact on expediting justice delivery and reforming the criminal justice system.
Six technical sessions were held, chaired by high court judges and moderated by National Law University Vice Chancellors. These sessions featured 13 presentations by district judges, additional district judges, and senior police officers, highlighting challenges and key learnings from the initial 120 days of the laws’ implementation.
Topics covered during the sessions included procedural challenges under the new laws, addressing proclaimed offenders, trial in absentia, and witness protection mechanisms. The conference also tackled the operational difficulties faced by police and judicial officers, particularly in evidence handling and data privacy compliance.
The event fostered collaboration among judiciary, law enforcement, and academic stakeholders, ensuring better preparedness for the evolving legal landscape. Advocate General P. K. Shahi lauded BIPARD’s efforts in organizing the event, crediting its Director General, K. K. Pathak, for uniting key stakeholders on a single platform.
Speaking to the press, Shahi emphasized that the conference laid the groundwork for meaningful implementation of the new criminal laws, with the ultimate goal of delivering timely justice to the public. The initiative was hailed as a vital step toward reshaping India’s criminal justice system.
