The Ladakh Legal Services Authority (LLSA), in collaboration with Ladakh Police, organised a one-day seminar-cum-orientation program on the Three New Criminal Laws set to be implemented nationwide from July 1st. The event took place on June 2 at the Arya Nagarjuna Auditorium, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Choglamsar, Leh, Ladakh.

Justice Atul Sreedharan, Judge of the High Court of Jammu Kashmir Ladakh and Executive Chairman of LLSA UT Ladakh, served as the Chief Guest, while Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal was the Guest of Honour.

The seminar featured four sessions. In the inaugural session, Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of the new criminal laws framed by Parliament. He highlighted the need to adapt to modern times, changes in crime patterns, and the necessity for thorough investigation, trial, and justice. He praised the new laws for their stricter stance on offences against women.

The Three New Criminal Laws—The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—will replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860; Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively, effective from July 1st.

Dr. Kotwal noted that about 40 percent of Ladakh police personnel have been trained to understand and effectively use the new laws. He expressed gratitude to Advocate E V Chandru and Advocate Sharat Chandru from Tamil Nadu for training the UT Ladakh officials.

Justice Sreedharan highlighted the multi-sectoral role of police personnel and the collaborative relationship between legal workers and the police. He praised the new laws for their stringent clauses regarding offences against women and emphasized their role in societal betterment.

In the first session, Advocate E V Chandru provided a detailed overview of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita and engaged with participants. In the second session, Advocate Sharat Chandru presented on the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Additionally, Tsewang Phuntsok, CJM Leh, conducted a session on the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.The third session featured Ishtiaq Kacho JKPS, AIG (CIV), and Murad Bhat, Consultant at KPMG, who discussed preparations for implementing the new laws in UT Ladakh, particularly concerning the police department and the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).

The program was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Leh, SSP Leh, CJM Leh, Member Secretary of Ladakh Legal Services Authority, senior police officers from the prosecution and forensic wings, judicial officials, advocates from Leh and Kargil, and police personnel.