JAMMU: As part of its ongoing district-wide awareness campaign on the new criminal laws, District Administration Jammu, under the leadership of District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya, organised an awareness session at RS Pura. The programme focused on educating officials and citizens about the provisions and implications of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) and Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The event was presided over by Additional District Magistrate Ansuya Jamwal and attended by SDM RS Pura Seema Parihar, Tehsildars, BDOs, medical experts and other officials, along with members of market associations and local citizens. Also present were SP Headquarters Jammu Irshad Hussain Rather, SDPO RS Pura, SHO RS Pura, prosecutors and advocates, who participated as legal experts and resource persons.
Speaking at the event, ADM Ansuya Jamwal reaffirmed the District Administrationâs commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed about the new legal framework. "The implementation of these laws marks a significant shift in our criminal justice system; from punitive to justice oriented approach. Provisions such as Zero-FIR, e-FIR, preliminary inquiry and the integration of forensic and digital evidence will enhance efficiency, strengthen victim protection and streamline the justice delivery mechanism," she stated.
She also shed light on various offences and their legal provisions, including sections of BNS covering sexual offences through deceitful means, offences against women under 18 years of age, hiring or engaging a child to commit an offence, mob lynching and other serious crimes. The new legal framework strengthens protections against crimes, such as mob lynching, targeting vulnerable sections of society, the ADM explained.
SP Headquarters Irshad Hussain Rather elaborated on various sections of the law and their role in safeguarding citizens' rights. Legal and police experts conducted detailed presentations on key aspects of the new laws, particularly their role in curbing serious crimes and improving access to justice.
The awareness programme at RS Pura was one of 16 such events conducted across the district in the fourth week of February as part of the District Administrationâs initiative to disseminate legal knowledge at the block level. These programmes, scheduled for the second and fourth weeks of every month, aim to facilitate the smooth implementation of the new legal framework through regular engagement with officials and the public.
