Criminal laws implemented in UT, says Omar as Shah holds review meet

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Tuesday that the three new criminal laws have been “by and large” implemented successfully in the Union Territory, emphasising the importance of making citizens aware of the provisions of these Acts.

Abdullah made the comments after attending a review meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting also included Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials.

“The meeting discussed the shortcomings and areas for improvement in the smooth implementation of the three laws in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said. Shah noted that a similar review process had been completed for 11 other states and Union Territories.

The Home Minisrer observed that with the decline in terror activities and improvement in security scenario in the Union Territory, the police there should now prioritise safeguarding the rights of its citizens.

He added that there is an urgent need to use the provision of Trial in Absentia in the UT. Shah stressed on the need to expedite the process of filing chargesheets, adding that every police station in J&K should put the maximum use of the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) into practice.

He said that decisions on provisions related to terrorism and organised crime should be taken only after thorough scrutiny at the level of Superintendent of Police and strict monitoring is required to ensure that these provisions under the new laws are not misused.

Meanwhile, Abdullah added, “So far, the implementation of the new laws has been by and large successful, except for a few instances. These issues will be addressed.” He clarified that while the implementation of these laws was not the responsibility of the elected government, it was crucial to ensure public awareness, particularly in colleges, universities and other places.

He also pointed out that the meeting was not focused on law and order issues, as these were discussed during his recent meeting with Shah at Parliament. “This meeting was different from the security review meeting,” Abdullah said.

On the subject of security review meetings, Abdullah remarked, “If a decision is taken that the elected government will not be called for the security review meeting, what can we do? That is okay.”

Regarding Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s dissent during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led meeting to appoint a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Abdullah supported Gandhi’s right to voice disagreement. “Dissent was his (Gandhi’s) right and he exercised it,” Abdullah said. “He has a right to dissent... that is why he is there. He is there to give a point of view, he is not there simply to agree with what the government suggests or proposes.”

The three new laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.