Government ups outreach before new criminal laws come into force

NEW DELHI: With three new criminal laws set to come into effect from July 1, govt has stepped up outreach to provide information about the legal provisions to all stakeholders at the grassroots, ranging from elected women representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions to Anganwadi workers and Self Help Group members at the village level. According to govt, nearly 40 lakh stakeholders attended the event.

On Friday, top officials of the ministries of women and child development, rural development and Panchayati Raj held a webinar that reached out to those working at the grassroots to educate them about the provisions of the three new laws - "Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita", "Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita", and "Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam" - and what the shift from IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act entails. Features related to the protection, welfare, safety and security of women and children were specially discussed.

Key provisions of the laws were highlighted by experts from Bureau of Police Research and Development. From making way for online filing of FIRs to provisions that set out timelines for justice delivery - the webinar detailed the road ahead.