HNLU Conducts One-Day Refresher Course On New Criminal Laws For Police Officers Of Chhattisgarh

Under this transformative MoU, signed in 2024, HNLU has been conducting a year-long Foundation Training Programme for DSP Probationers and 950 newly recruited Police Sub-Inspectors, jointly with the Police Academy, Chandkhuri. Over the years, more than 10,000 police officers have been trained by HNLU, reflecting its long-standing commitment to strengthening the rule-of-law ecosystem in Chhattisgarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of HNLU, Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan, emphasized that initiatives like these represent “a unique model of academic–law enforcement synergy that strengthens institutional capacities and promotes rule-of-law-based policing in Chhattisgarh.” He highlighted that the collaboration demonstrates how academic institutions can play a pivotal role in shaping informed, efficient, and citizen-centric policing.

The Refresher Course was specially designed to provide serving police officers with an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, share field experiences, and discuss the practical challenges emerging under the new criminal law regime. Officers openly deliberated on issues faced on the ground—ranging from procedural transitions to evidentiary practices—and interacted with HNLU experts on realistic, implementable solutions.

Through this interaction-driven model, the programme ensured that officers not only understood the statutory changes but also received clarity on operational reforms, enabling smoother adaptation to the new legal framework.

The academic sessions were conducted by the faculty members of HNLU and focused on themes of immediate relevance to policing under the new criminal law structure. The programme began with an in-depth discussion on “From IPC to BNS: What Has Really Changed for Police Work on the Ground?”, offering officers a comprehensive understanding of the structural reforms that have reshaped substantive criminal law and altered day-to-day police responsibilities. This was followed by a session on Key Reforms for Women and Children in the New Criminal Laws, which examined the enhanced protections, expanded definitions, and strengthened mechanisms aimed at ensuring safety, sensitivity, and accountability in cases involving vulnerable groups.

Another important component of the training was the examination of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as the new procedural framework governing investigation, arrest, search and seizure, trial, and overall criminal justice administration. Faculty members also elaborated on the practical consequences of the revised procedures under BNSS, highlighting the operational adjustments required at the police station level and the implications for investigation timelines, documentation, rights of the accused, and victim-focused processes. The final session addressed the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, with particular emphasis on the future of evidence in the digital age, including electronic records, admissibility standards, chain of custody, and the increasing importance of technologically sound investigation practices.

The sessions emphasised the functional implications of these new criminal laws, equipping officers with clarity on investigation standards, procedural safeguards, victim-centric reforms, and the growing importance of digital evidence in modern policing.

HNLU's continuing efforts under the MoU reaffirm its mission to contribute meaningfully to governance, justice delivery, and public administration in Chhattisgarh. The Refresher Course marks yet another milestone in its commitment to nurturing a well-informed, legally sound, and ethically grounded police force capable of addressing the evolving needs of society.