STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: To provide a platform to the Judicial Officers for getting a clear understanding of the provisions of the Criminal Amendment Act, 2013 and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 2014, Jammu and Kashmir State Judicial Academy (SJA) on Sunday organised one day workshop for all Sessions Judges of Kashmir province on the topic ‘Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2013 and NDPS Act, 2014’ and a lecture on ‘Criminal Revisional and Appellate powers of Sessions Judges’.
The objective of this workshop was to get every Sessions Judge of the State familiarised with the latest amendments carried out in the CrPC, RPC, Evidence Act and NDPS Act so that they are able to apply the provisions of amendments incorporated therein.
Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din, former Judge, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir was the Resource person.
Workshop was conducted under the guidance and instructions of Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir (Chief Patron, State Judicial Academy) and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, (Chairman Committee, State Judicial Academy) and Justice Hasnain Masoodi, (Member Committee, State Judicial Academy).
The topics were introduced by Pawan Dev Kotwal, Director, SJA. He emphasised the need of the course for Judicial Officers especially in the back drop of latest amendments made out in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Ranbir Penal Code, Evidence Act and NDPS Act by way of Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2013 and NDPS Act, 2014.
Justice (Retd.) Syed Bashir-ud-Din by his long and varied experience enlightened the participants regarding ways and means which they can adopt while dealing with criminal cases and reminded the Sessions Judges about their powers, duties and responsibilities. He discussed in detail the amended provisions of Criminal Amendment Act and NDPS Act and referred some authoritative pronouncements of the Apex Court, which they have to keep in mind while dealing with the cases.
Resource person said that a great responsibility and sensitivity is casted on the judiciary by the Amendment Act, 2013 whereby certain amendments have been made making offences against women more heinous and stringent punishments are provided. However, judges have to ensure that the provisions are not misused. Pawan Dev Kotwal presented the vote of thanks.
