Srinagar, Sep 11 (JKNS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday described the recently introduced criminal laws as a historic reform that shifts the country’s legal framework towards a victim-first model while ensuring the dignity of vulnerable sections is upheld.
Speaking at the Criminal Laws Exhibition held at Police Public School in Srinagar, LG Sinha as per news agency JKNS said, “The central focus of these laws is justice for victims. They seek to end the colonial legacy of punishment-driven provisions and instead create a system that delivers fairness and dignity to every citizen, especially women, children, and marginalized groups.”
He explained that the drafting exercise began in 2019 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a review of British-era statutes. “Inputs were collected from judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, lawmakers, universities, civil society members, and common citizens. More than 3,200 suggestions were received, including detailed recommendations from over 200 senior police officers. This kind of widespread consultation is unprecedented in India’s legislative history,” Sinha said.
The LG noted that the reforms introduce fresh measures to guarantee timely justice. “New provisions focus on fast-tracking trials and ensuring judgments within three years, right from the FIR to the Supreme Court. For the first time, terrorism has also been explicitly defined in Indian law as any act that threatens unity, public safety, or peace. This will reinforce our zero-tolerance approach against terrorism and remove its traces from the region,” he stated.
Emphasizing public participation, Sinha urged continuous awareness efforts. “Crime Branch Kashmir has set an excellent example by organizing this programme. I expect similar initiatives by Crime Branch Jammu and at the district level. It is the duty of the police, the Education Department, and the Legal Services Authority to educate citizens about these changes,” he said.
LG further said that these reforms are not just legal changes but a vision of a new India. “They lay the foundation of a society where justice is swift, inclusive, and accessible to all, and where the rule of law protects every citizen’s dignity,” Sinha added. (JKNS)
