CM Says People Will Get Justice At Doorsteps In Odisha Amid Plan For ‘Gram Nyayalayas’ In Blocks

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday asserted that the state government is keen to provide justice to the people at their doorsteps.

Speaking at an event on Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the state government is also committed to provide accessible and efficient police services to the citizens at their homes.

Stating that no police station can refuse to register an FIR, Majhi said victims do not always have to personally visit the police station to lodge a complaint. The police are bound to file an FIR even if it is not in their jurisdiction or not, he said, adding this will be called ‘Zero FIR’ which will be sent to the respective police station for further due process.

This apart, police personnel cannot call a handicapped person, a minor below 15 years of age or those above 60 to the police station, except in unavoidable circumstances, while POCSO cases should be solved within 60 days, the Chief Minister said.

Taking a dig at the previous government over low conviction rate in cases relating to crime against women and girl children, the CM said as per the NCRB report, Odisha has just a 9.3% conviction rate in crimes against women and the lowest compared to other states.

The BJP government will set up special courts and up the conviction rate through speedy justice delivery, he said

Speaking at the event, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said establishment of special courts will play a significant role in providing justice at doorsteps.

He said the government has also approved the setting up of six new ‘Gram Nyayalayas (rural courts)’ that will serve as mediation and will go a long way in reducing the load on the judicial system. Moreover, a law commission will be formed soon and all the unwanted laws will also be discarded in Odisha, he said.