HM Amit Shah Reviews Gujarat’s Implementation of New Criminal Laws, Calls for Expedited Reforms

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Jan. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on Thursday in New Delhi to assess the implementation of new criminal laws in Gujarat. The meeting, attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, senior state and central government officials, and law enforcement authorities, focused on streamlining police, judicial, and forensic reforms under the new legal framework.

Shah directed the Gujarat government to implement the new criminal laws in all commissionerates by April 30, 2025, and across the entire state at the earliest. He emphasized that progress should be monitored regularly—monthly by the Chief Minister, fortnightly by the State Home Minister, and weekly by top administrative officials.

Key Points from the Review Meeting:

• Expedited Charge Sheets: Gujarat has achieved a 92% charge sheet filing rate in cases involving sentences exceeding 10 years. Shah urged officials to ensure full compliance with legal provisions for pending cases.
• Forensic and Electronic Evidence: The Home Minister stressed the use of video conferencing cubicles in every prison and electronic dashboards to monitor detained individuals, seized evidence, and case progress.
• Zero FIRs & Digital FIR Transfer: Gujarat was praised for converting all Zero FIRs into regular FIRs and was urged to adopt CCTNS 2.0 for inter-state FIR transfers.
• Organised Crime & National Security: Strict guidelines were suggested to prevent the misuse of laws related to terrorism, mob lynching, and organised crime. Shah called for the Trial in Absentia provision to be used against fugitives who have evaded the country.
• Strengthening Forensics: Shah recommended two forensic mobile vans per district and ensuring that all 12 forensic kits used in crime investigations are manufactured in India.
• Judicial & Technological Upgrades: The Gujarat High Court’s recent directive (January 22, 2025) to implement e-processes in subordinate courts was lauded, with a call for other states to follow suit.

The Union Home Minister also emphasized the need for faster recruitment in the forensic and prosecution departments, improved network speed in police stations (30 Mbps), and stricter oversight of criminal trials and evidence collection.

With Gujarat emerging as a model for implementing new legal frameworks, Shah urged other states to adopt similar reforms for faster, tech-driven justice delivery.