Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Monday reviewed the ongoing process of the implementation of the three new criminal laws in the national capital and stressed upon removing the hurdles at the earliest.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) have come into effect from 1st July, 2024, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act respectively.

Chairing a meeting, the LG reviewed the action taken on decisions taken during previous meetings held in this regard.

Saxena asked officials of all stakeholder departments like Home Department, GNCTD, Delhi Police, Forensic Science Laboratory, National Informatics Centre, Directorate of Prosecution, GNCTD, to come up with specific timelines for completing various projects that are in the pipeline relating to the implementation of the new laws.

Various issues were deliberated upon in the meeting, including the training of nodal officers appointed by the Health Department, GNCTD for MedLEaPR (portal for medico-legal cases).

The LG was informed that the Health Department, GNCTD has on boarded all Hospitals of the Central Government in Delhi namely, AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital on MedLEaPR.

As on date 186 Delhi Government Doctors and 32 Central Government Doctors have registered themselves on MedLEaPR and have created 81 Reports on the portal.

Training of 26 doctors of GNCTD has also been conducted by National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gujarat on 30/31st July in the first batch.

The procurement of mobile forensic vans for Police and FSL and the necessary infrastructure for providing video conference facilities in all 691 courts of Delhi were also deliberated upon.

In both matters, Saxena has directed the departments to expedite the process, in consultation with all stakeholders departments. He directed the department to ensure transparency in procurement process.

The filling of vacancies of 165 junior scientific assistants who would be deployed at the crime scene by FSSL was also discussed.

The LG was informed that the process of recruitment of 165 junior scientific assistants on contractual basis for six months would be completed by 21st September 21. However, the LG directed the FSL to maintain total transparency in the matters so that there is no scope for any complaint even in the future.

He further emphasised that steps should be taken for the regular appointment of junior scientific assistants.

Recruitment Rules (RRs) for various vacant posts in FSL and Directorate of Prosecution were also discussed.

On the proposal for a new building for the Directorate of Prosecution, Saxena asked the Chief Secretary and other officials to explore the possibility of providing a suitable space for the Prosecution Department till new infrastructure is developed for the purpose.

The LG asked officials of various departments concerned to conduct a joint inspection of the possible sites.

During the meeting, the LG was also apprised about the updates on suitable changes in the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System, e-court, e-forensic, SOP for Crime Scene Management, mapping of Special Courts with all Police Stations, and Special Police Stations with concerned Courts, Cadre Restructuring of Directorate of Prosecution and framing of Recruitment Rules etc.