Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy on Saturday organised a one-day orientation programme on “Criminal Justice Administration with special reference to New Criminal Laws” (A-048/25) at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu.
The programme was conducted under the patronage of Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Patron-in-Chief Arun Palli, and under the guidance of the Chairperson and Members of the Governing Committee for the Judicial Academy.
Rajnesh Oswal, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairperson of the Governing Committee for the Academy, delivered the inaugural address. He underscored the timeless relevance of law, quoting Manusmriti to observe that law is the essence of dharma and acts as a silent guardian of society. He emphasised that law must evolve continuously to meet changing societal needs and noted that criminal justice, though ancient in concept, requires constant modernisation.
Referring to the newly enacted legislations—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—Justice Oswal said these laws are aligned with contemporary realities, particularly through the incorporation of electronic and digital advancements. He stressed that the success of these frameworks depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders and called for a collaborative, progressive and forward-looking approach to realise their true objectives.
Rahul Bharti, Judge of the High Court and Member of the Governing Committee, highlighted that the criminal justice system is a collective enterprise involving the police, prosecution and judiciary, each playing an interdependent role. He observed that while the new laws mark a transition from the earlier framework, the real challenge lies in overcoming entrenched stereotypes and systemic inefficiencies.
Justice Bharti noted that despite individual efforts, the system often appears disorganised due to routine practices and lack of coordination. He stressed the need for a shift in mindset, urging stakeholders to engage more deeply with their roles and take collective responsibility for improving the system. He also underscored the importance of continuous self-study and introspection for effective implementation of the new laws.
Director of the Judicial Academy, Naseer Ahmad Dar, highlighted the importance of such orientation programmes in building a deeper understanding of the new criminal laws. He expressed gratitude to Justices Rajnesh Oswal and Rahul Bharti for their insights and guidance.
The programme featured three technical sessions conducted by Sakal Bhushan, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. The sessions covered key aspects of the newly introduced criminal laws, including BNSS, BSA and BNS.
Through a detailed PowerPoint presentation, the resource person provided an overview and comparative analysis of the new criminal laws, highlighting significant additions, deletions and structural changes. The second session focused on pre-trial processes, the role of Magistrates and procedural reforms under BNSS, including trial procedures, adjournments, appeals and revisions.
In the final session, Bhushan addressed evidentiary aspects under BSA, including electronic evidence, and provided an overview of BNS and its punishment framework.
The programme witnessed participation from Judicial Officers, Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors, officers of the Police Department, Legal Aid Defence Counsels and law students from across the Jammu province.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by the Director of the J&K Judicial Academy.
