A guest lecture by Mr. Rajashekara N. was conducted on 28 November 2025, offering students a comprehensive insight into the three new criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The session was thoughtfully designed to address concerns regarding procedural reforms, evidentiary standards, investigative mechanisms, and trial-stage transformations under the new legal framework.
Mr. Rajashekara began by explaining the rules governing confession before a Magistrate, stressing that it holds legal validity only when voluntarily initiated by the accused, documented through a written application, and recorded without police influence after the consequences are clearly explained. He also traced the entire process of capital punishment, from trial court imposition to appellate review before the Supreme Court, and further to mercy petition rights before the Governor or President.
A key element of the lecture was the enhanced role of electronic and forensic evidence under the BSA, supported by case laws such as Government of India v. Navjot Singh, T.V. Anor v. P.K. Bashi, and the Ajith Singh (Maharashtra) decision. He illustrated these concepts using prominent criminal cases including the Nithari killings, the tandoori murder case, and the Aarushi Talwar investigation, drawing attention to digital forensics, evidence integrity, and crime-scene handling.
Further, Mr. Rajashekara explained major BNSS reforms, including compulsory forensic examination for offences exceeding seven years, video-recorded searches and seizures, revised arrest rules, limits on police custody, and concepts such as Zero FIR, e-FIR, and arrest by private persons. He also reflected on new provisions concerning organised crime, sexual offences, mob lynching, handcuffing norms, medical examination of the accused, and the dangers of media influence on criminal trials.
The lecture was highly informative, legally enriching, and instrumental in helping students understand how the new statutes reshape justice delivery in India.
