Senior officers of the state police have been instructed by the top brass to initiate training sessions for their personnel on three recently enacted criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023. These directives were issued during a state police conference held in Nashik last week. The introduction of these three new laws will result in the replacement of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Law.
Various units across the state, including commissionerates, rural areas, districts, and allied units such as the state anti-naxal operation cell, have been instructed to establish core teams responsible for conducting training sessions focusing on the finer details of the new laws. Recently, a former CBI director, who played a role in drafting the three criminal law bills, conducted a half-day workshop for senior police officials from different units across Maharashtra.
“The ex-CBI director explained changes in the laws, their effect and how to interpret them. Though the basic fabric of the laws remains the same, sections have changed drastically, which need to be understood and applied to day to day actions in law enforcement,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.