Chandigarh, Oct 3 (UNI) union Home Minister Amit Shah today said under the new criminal laws, any FIR registered in 2026 will be fully resolved within three years, thereby ensuring timely justice for all citizens.
Addressing a gathering in Haryana’s Kurukshetra after inaugurating an exhibition on the three new criminal laws, Shah pointed out that the previous criminal laws were enacted by the British with the primary objective of maintaining their rule, not to safeguard the welfare of the Indian people. Although India achieved independence in 1947, the legal system remained rooted in colonial frameworks.
“Now, with the implementation of the three new criminal laws from July 1, 2024, a new era of justice has begun under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
On the occasion, he also released a book prepared by the Haryana Home Department on three new criminal laws.
Shah went round the exhibition and reviewed the positive impacts of the legal reforms, while also inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for various development projects worth Rs 825 crore.
Shah said the new laws are designed to ensure justice, dignity, and protection of life and property, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
Acknowledging that many had concerns about the practical outcomes of these reforms, he highlighted a recent case where a murder convict was tried, sentenced, and imprisoned within just 112 days under the new system. Earlier, those unable to afford bail often languished in jail for years.
Under the new law, however, jail authorities are now mandated to file an application for remission of sentence once a prisoner has served one-third of their term.
He stated that “under the old legal system, justice was served in only 40 per cent of cases. However, following the implementation of the new criminal laws, this rate has increased to 80 per cent. The police are now focusing on gathering evidence, which has doubled the rate of justice.”
The government has introduced several progressive provisions aimed at strengthening citizens’ rights, dignity, and the rule of law. Shah said that the police are now prioritising data collection over the use of force, and have shifted from third-degree interrogation methods to scientific evidence gathering.
He further explained that the new laws have digitally integrated all key components of the criminal justice system, including the police, prisons, judiciary, prosecution, and forensic departments, to ensure faster and more transparent outcomes. Dedicated legal provisions have also been introduced for the protection of women and children.
Videography of all legal proceedings has been made mandatory, and forensic investigation is now compulsory for crimes carrying a sentence of more than seven years. In addition, the new laws include specific measures to address terrorism, mob lynching, cyber crimes, and ensure adherence to strict time limits for case resolution. With this integrated approach, the systems of policing, justice, and prosecution are now working in a cohesive and streamlined manner, he added.
He said that a new provision for trial in absentia has been introduced under the revised criminal laws. This provision allows for criminals who flee the country after committing an offence to be tried and even sentenced in their absence, ensuring they are no longer beyond the reach of justice. He emphasised that the era of “indefinite postponement of hearings” is now over, as the new legal framework guarantees that justice will be delivered within maximum three years.
Highlighting Haryana’s progress, Shah said that 71 per cent of charge-sheets in the state have been filed within 60 days, significantly ahead of the stipulated 90-day timeline. He credited this achievement to extensive training programmes conducted for police officers, court officials, support staff, lawyers, and public prosecutors, aimed at preparing all stakeholders for the effective implementation of the new laws.
Shah remarked that the recent reduction in GST rates on 365 items is a major relief and a significant gift to the people of the country. He urged every household and consumer to make a conscious choice to purchase indigenous products for their everyday needs, reinforcing the spirit of economic self-reliance.
Shah highlighted that the principle of ‘Swadeshi’, or self-reliance, was introduced by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom movement, and it had a profound impact in resisting British rule. He said that when the people of India embraced this principle, it played a vital role in securing independence.
He said that similar initiatives today will serve to strengthen the Indian economy and promote national growth. He further stated that “under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s economy has risen from the 11th to the 4th position globally, and a clear target has been set to make India the world’s leading economy by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of independence.”
