01-07-2025
Criminal laws biggest reform since Independence: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) that the three criminal laws have enough checks and balances ensuring that police officers will be caught if there is any dereliction on their part in investigating a criminal case.
Mr. Shah said that whenever the three laws are analysed, they would come to be regarded as the biggest reform since Independence as there can be no greater reform than making the justice system — which protects the rights of the people — transparent, citizen-centric, and time-bound.
Mr. Shah addressed the programme 'A Golden Year of Trust in the Justice System' in New Delhi to mark the successful completion of one year of the new criminal laws. Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi V.K. Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka were present.
The Home Minister said the new laws include several technology-based provisions which, once implemented, will leave no opportunity for offenders to escape punishment by availing the benefit of doubt. He said that after the new criminal justice system is fully implemented, the conviction rate in the country will improve significantly.
Mr. Shah stated that in the last one year, about 14.8 lakh policemen, 42,000 employees posted at jails, more than 19,000 judicial officers and more than 11,000 public prosecutors have been trained in implementing the new laws.
Notification of e-evidence and e-summons has been issued in 11 States and Union Territories, while Nyay Shruti has been notified in 6 States and UTs and community service as punishment has been notified in 12 States and UTs.
He said the laws impose strict timelines on the three key pillars responsible for delivering justice to citizens — the police, prosecution, and judiciary.
The new laws will shift the mindset from 'what will happen if I file an FIR' to a strong belief that 'filing an FIR will lead to prompt justice', the Minister said.
From July 1, 2024, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872; and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
