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Dimapur, Feb. 15 (EMN): A two-day workshop for
prosecution officers was organised by the department of Justice and Law
concluded on February 15 at the Law department’s rest house in Dimapur.
Speaking during the function, the secretary for Justice and Law Khanrinla T Koza said the primary purpose for conducting the workshop for prosecution officers was not only for ‘sharing and updating legal knowledge but also to interact and discuss the challenges and areas for improvement concerning the functioning of officers and the department in general.’
Koza maintained that, there was always a constant need to learn in the legal profession as there are many laws that are evolving and amending due to changes in society, bringing with it new policies, new laws and new offences.
While encouraging the junior officers in the profession to respect as well as follow their seniors’ guidance, she appealed to the senior officers to ‘share the knowledge and experiences to their fellow junior prosecutors.’ ‘Don’t wait to be consulted but take the initiative and give good advice and assistance.’
in his address, public prosecutor at Gauhati High Court Partha Pratim Baruah, spoke largely on the roles of the prosecutor in the Indian criminal justice system.
Baruah said that the role of the prosecutor is not to single-mindedly seek a conviction regardless of the evidence but to ensure that justice is delivered. He said the prosecutor’s obligation is of representing the state and not the police.
Stating that that the only aim of the public prosecutor should be to aid the court, he said the official should avoid any proceedings likely to intimidate or unduly influence witnesses on either side.
Further, he explained that the duty of the prosecutor was not merely on securing conviction of the accused at all costs but to place before the court whatever evidence is in the possession of the prosecution, whether in favour of or against the accused and to leave the court to decide upon such evidence as to whether the accused had committed the offence.