Interactive Session Empowers Youth with Knowledge of Legal Reforms and Justice System

||Black and White Digital News ||

||February 06,2025 ||

Jammu: In a significant step toward legal education and public awareness, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Boys Hostel, University of Jammu, organized an interactive awareness session on the country’s newly introduced criminal laws.

With the implementation of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replacing colonial-era laws, this initiative was aimed at equipping students with practical legal knowledge to understand the evolving criminal justice system. The session brought together students from diverse disciplines, fostering an open dialogue between law enforcement officers, legal professionals, and academia.

Engaging Experts, Thought-Provoking Discussions:

The event featured a panel of esteemed speakers from law enforcement, legal practice, and academia, including:

• Kartik Shirotiya (IPS), Senior Police Official

• Dr. Rajneesh Khajuria, Assistant Professor, The Law School, University of Jammu

• Advocate Sugandh Gandotra, High Court of J&K

• Dr. Nitan Sharma, Assistant Professor, The Law School, University of Jammu

• Advocate Syed Waqar, High Court of J&K

• Mr. Shivam, Law Student and Hostel Boarder

Each expert highlighted the most significant changes in the legal system and how they impact law enforcement, judicial procedures, and citizens’ rights. The session provided students with critical insights into the new laws, covering:

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

Strengthening Criminal Law

• Replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

• Introduces modern definitions of crimes and harsher penalties for offenses like mob lynching, organized crime, and terrorism.

• Strengthens legal provisions to protect women and children.

• Focuses on victim rights, fair trials, and faster judicial procedures.

Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):

Reforming Criminal Procedures

• Replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to enhance policing, trials, and evidence collection.

• Allows electronic communication and video trials to speed up justice.

• Provides clear guidelines on arrest, bail, and witness protection.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA):

Modernizing Evidence Laws

• Replaces the Indian Evidence Act, incorporating digital and electronic evidence into trials.

• Strengthens cyber laws and digital forensic methods to tackle modern crimes like cyber fraud and identity theft.

• Ensures a more transparent, efficient, and accountable judicial system.

Bridging the Gap Between Law Enforcement and Citizens:

The initiative was conducted under the supervision and guidance of senior officials, including:

• Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu

• Shri Joginder Singh, SSP Jammu

• Prof. Lalitsen Sharma, Provost, Boys Hostel

• Dr. Satyapriya Arya, Warden, Jambu Lochan Boys Hostel

• Dr. Nitan Sharma, Resident Warden, University of Jammu

• Shri Ajay Sharma, SP South, Jammu

SP Ajay Sharma emphasized the importance of educating students on legal changes, stating that youth awareness plays a crucial role in preventing crime and strengthening justice delivery. He urged students to spread legal knowledge within their communities, ensuring that the impact of criminal law reforms reaches beyond classrooms.

Interactive Discussions and Student Participation:

Students actively participated in Q&A sessions, raising pertinent legal queries regarding police procedures, judicial reforms, and individual rights. Key concerns included:

• How will the new laws impact personal liberties?

• What protections are available against wrongful arrests?

• How do the new provisions help victims of gender-based crimes?

• What role does technology play in modern law enforcement?

Legal experts addressed these queries in detail, explaining how the new laws strike a balance between crime prevention and individual freedoms.

A Step Towards Legal Literacy and Responsible Citizenship:

This initiative marks a significant step in legal education, ensuring that students—the future policymakers, lawyers, and citizens of India—are well-informed about the changes shaping the justice system.

Future Implications: More Universities to Follow?

The event’s success raises a broader question: Should similar awareness programs be extended to other universities across J&K and India? Given the transformational nature of these legal reforms, there is a strong case for expanding such initiatives to reach a larger student population.

By fostering legal awareness and student engagement, the J&K Police and University of Jammu have set a benchmark for collaborative education in law and justice—a model that could be replicated nationwide for a more informed, responsible, and legally empowered society.