Sri City Hosts Lecture on India’s New Criminal Laws

As part of its extramural lectures and seminars series, Sri City hosted a talk on India's newly enacted criminal laws, presented by Mr. E. Damodar, IPS, former Inspector General of Police and current criminal law advisor for lawyers and corporate clients, on Saturday. The event was attended by Human Resource Managers, Senior Executives, and Legal Officers from Sri City's industrial units.

Dr. Ravindra Sannareddy, Founder and Managing Director of Sri City, warmly welcomed Mr. Damodar, recalling their long-standing association. He expressed sincere gratitude to Mr. Damodar for accepting the invitation to engage with the Sri City community and explain the key aspects of the new laws.

Highlighting several high-profile economic offences in the country, Mr. Damodar noted how criminals had been exploiting the colonial criminal laws. He stated that the newly implemented laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—have replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Although these new laws aim to modernise India's criminal justice system with a victim-centric approach, enhanced national security, and the inclusion of digital and electronic evidence reviews, he acknowledged the significant challenges ahead for law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, and legal professionals.

Mr. Damodar briefly explained the major legislations, highlighting key features such as stricter oversight to prevent misuse of arrest laws, the introduction of electronic FIRs, and adjustments to detention periods for under-trial inmates, etc., Additionally, he emphasised the need to integrate technology throughout the criminal justice process.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to seek further clarification on the practical implications of these new laws.