Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, Mar 12: In a significant move, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha has ordered the remission of life sentences for three convicts previously sentenced under the now-defunct Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The decision, officially notified by the J&K Home Department, was taken under Section 473 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The remission applies to Anil Singh of Shastri Nagar, Jammu, Dev Raj of Chak Jaffray, Kana Chak, Jammu, and Girdhari Lal of Mangnar, Poonch, all of whom had served between 14 to 16 years of their life sentences. The order, which takes immediate effect, comes with strict conditions to ensure law and order.

As per the notification, the released individuals must maintain peace, avoid engaging in unlawful activities, and refrain from intimidating the victims' families. They are also required to report to the police every six months and fulfill all legal formalities before their release. Law enforcement authorities have been directed to monitor their activities closely, with a clear warning that any violation will result in the cancellation of their remission.

The decision aligns with the newly enacted criminal laws, which emphasize reform over punitive measures. The colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), which was enforced under the rule of the Maharajas in J&K, have been replaced by modernized legal frameworks focusing on rehabilitation, including community service for convicts.

With this transition, J&K joins the rest of India in adopting a more progressive approach to justice, where reformative measures take precedence over rigid punishments.