Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently declared the introduction of three new criminal laws as a monumental step, marking the most significant transformation of India’s criminal justice system in the 21st century.
Shah highlighted how the previous system often saw cases languishing for decades without resolution, denying citizens their right to timely justice. He confidently stated that these new laws are poised to revolutionize this. His comments followed the inauguration of an exhibition in Jaipur, where he observed demonstrations of modern criminal investigation and prosecution techniques aligned with the new legal framework.
The exhibition, held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC), vividly illustrates this pivotal shift in India’s criminal justice system — moving from a traditional punitive stance towards an approach rooted in justice and transparency.
“These three new laws will guarantee easy and timely access to justice for everyone. Our criminal justice system will now be driven by justice, not merely by punishment,” Mr. Shah affirmed.
He added, “The current perception of the judicial system often deters people. These new laws are designed to make justice simpler, faster, and far more accessible to all citizens.”
Mr. Shah expressed strong confidence that upon full implementation, India’s criminal justice system will achieve the status of being the “most modern in the world.”
Also read: Criminal laws biggest reform since Independence, says Amit Shah
These significant legislations—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—became effective on July 1, 2024, replacing the outdated colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act.
Addressing initial doubts about the stringent deadlines for procedures under the new laws, such as filing charge sheets within 60 days for common offenses and 90 days for serious crimes, Mr. Shah shared encouraging progress.
“Remarkably, within just a year of these laws being enacted, over 50% of charge sheets nationwide are now being filed on schedule. I am optimistic that this figure will soar to 90% within another year,” he announced.
Opinion | A year later — colonial-era laws to new criminal codes
To ensure a seamless and effective rollout of the new system, the government has undertaken extensive training programs for hundreds of thousands of police personnel and thousands of judicial officers and staff from forensic laboratories and prisons.
Mr. Shah further noted that these reforms will significantly reduce the necessity for physical court appearances.
“Accused individuals will appear via video conferencing directly from jail, and crucial witnesses such as police officers, bank employees, doctors, and forensic experts will also be able to testify remotely. This will lead to substantial savings in both time and financial resources,” he explained.
Moreover, he pointed out that this digital approach will also mitigate the risks of undertrial prisoners escaping from police custody.
According to Mr. Shah, new provisions for filing e-FIR and Zero FIR are specifically designed to simplify and expedite the initial stages of lodging complaints.
“Previously, Rajasthan’s conviction rate stood at 42%. Since these new laws have been implemented, it has surged to 60%. I am confident that once the complete implementation is achieved, this rate will further increase to an impressive 90%,” he projected.
At the exhibition, Mr. Shah and other attendees observed a series of presentations by police officers demonstrating how the new laws have significantly shortened investigation times and boosted productivity. The victim-centric approach, a cornerstone of these new laws, was also effectively showcased.
Although the exhibition is scheduled to conclude on October 18, Mr. Shah suggested that the state government consider extending its duration to allow more people to experience and understand these vital reforms.
Furthermore, Mr. Shah presided over a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for various development projects. These projects stem from Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ investment summit held in Jaipur last year.
The ceremony marked the commencement of projects worth ₹4 lakh crore, out of a total commitment of ₹35 lakh crore from the summit. The Minister emphasized that the BJP government is dedicated to delivering on its promises.