New Delhi: As India started implementing three new criminal laws on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that following the implementation of the new laws, judgment in criminal cases had to come within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of the first hearing.
“Judicial process would now be time bound and the new laws set time limits for the judicial system, ending long delays,” he said. As opposition parties continue their protest against the three laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), Home Minister Shah reiterated that the laws will make a total change of the Indian criminal justice system.
“With the implementation of the three criminal laws, India would have the most modern criminal justice system in the world,” said Shah. The new laws replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.
Highlighting crime against children and women, Shah said that the new laws were made more sensitive by adding a chapter on crimes against children and women and the inquiry report in such cases was to be filed within seven days.
The new laws prioritised the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information. According to the new laws, courts can grant a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays in case hearings, ensuring timely justice delivery.
“The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summons through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes,” he said.
According to Shah, the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action and made reporting of crimes even easier by recognising e-FIR, Zero FIR and electronic or digital evidence.
“Organised crime, acts of terrorism and mob lynching had been defined, sedition was replaced with treason and video recording of all search and seizures made mandatory,” said Shah.
“Buying and selling of any child made a heinous crime and a provision for death sentence or life imprisonment for gang rape of a minor included,” he said.
Significantly, under the new laws, a person can now report incidents by electronic communication, without the need to physically visit a police station. “This allows for easier and quicker reporting, facilitating prompt action by the police,” said Shah.
He informed that the first case under the new laws was about a motorcycle theft registered in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior at 10 minutes past midnight.
Time-Bound Procedures Under the New Laws
FIRs need to be registered within three days for complaints submitted through electronic communication. In sexual offences, a medical examination report needs to be forwarded within seven days. Victims are entitled to regular updates on the progress of their case within 90 days. As per the new laws, magistrates are required to frame charges within 60 days from the date on which documents are supplied.
