Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Siva Prasad Ganjala, conducted a comprehensive review of policing operations in Assam’s Golaghat district on Saturday, prioritising strategies for effective human resources management and, more crucially, the swift resolution of pending criminal cases.
The high-level meeting, held at the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office, centered on leveraging the newly implemented legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to significantly enhance the pace of justice delivery. During the session, IGP Ganjala provided targeted guidance to the district police officers on the effective utilisation of three specific sections of the BNSS to tackle the issue of absconding offenders and procedural delays.
The emphasis was placed on the strategic implementation of Sections 84 and 85, which deal directly with the prosecution of absconders, and their mandatory linkage with Section 193(8) for procedural streamlining.
The IGP stressed that the vigorous application of these legal tools is paramount for the integrity of the criminal justice system.
“Effective usage of these provisions is crucial for ensuring that absconders cannot evade justice. The proper application of Sections 84 and 85, combined with the procedural requirements under Section 193(8), will significantly enhance our case disposal rate and strengthen the criminal justice delivery system,” the IGP said.
Section 84 of the BNSS establishes the strict procedure for declaring an individual a proclaimed offender once a warrant has been issued and the person continues to abscond. This powerful provision mandates the publication of a proclamation requiring the offender to appear in court, failing which they face serious legal repercussions, including the loss of property and restrictions on government employment.
Section 85 further bolsters this effort by granting the courts authority to order the attachment of movable or immovable property belonging to offenders who continue to evade arrest after a proclamation has been issued. This acts as a robust financial deterrent, preventing offenders from hiding assets while avoiding legal proceedings.
IGP Ganjala highlighted the importance of Section 193(8). This procedural safeguard mandates that investigating officers provide the Magistrate with a comprehensive police report and all relevant documents, with copies simultaneously supplied to the accused through electronic means as stipulated by Section 230. This ensures transparency, facilitates the accused being fully informed of the evidence against them, and ultimately contributes to a faster and fairer trial process.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh, along with all district police officers, participated in the detailed review. The meeting also addressed secondary but vital issues concerning human resources, including personnel deployment, training initiatives, and measures for police welfare.
