Implement three new criminal laws by April in J&K, need to use trial in absentia: Shah

The meeting, held at North Block on the implementation of three new criminal laws in J&K, was also attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

“100% training of investigating officers about the provisions of the new laws should be ensured, and at the earliest. Decisions on provisions related to terrorism and organised crime should be taken only after a 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,” he said, according to the statement.

For the full implementation of the new laws, Shah said, it is imperative to change the attitude of the police personnel and the administration and create awareness among citizens. “Optimum use of technology should be made to ensure speedy justice under the three new criminal laws. There is an urgent need to use the provision of trial in absentia in the Union Territory,” he said.

He stressed on the need to fix responsibility of police officers to expedite the process of filing chargesheets. The meeting reviewed the implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in J&K.

The new laws came into effect on July 1 last year. He said that every police station in J&K should use the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

Shah said the J&K administration and government have done satisfactory work towards the implementation of the new criminal laws despite difficult circumstances.