“New Criminal Laws Prioritize Justice Over Punishment,” Says Amit Shah

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd July. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday announced the implementation of three new criminal laws during a press conference held in New Delhi. Describing the laws as victim-centric and justice-oriented, Shah emphasized that these laws prioritize justice over punishment, speedy trials over delays, and protection of victims’ rights.

Shah highlighted that these laws, the product of extensive discussions with various stakeholders over four years, represent the most comprehensive legal reform in Independent India. “Every aspect of the new laws has been extensively discussed, making this the most thoroughly deliberated legislation in our nation’s history,” he stated.

The Home Minister underscored that the new laws, which replace outdated colonial-era regulations, are designed to create a modern and indigenous criminal justice system. Key features include the abolition of the British-era sedition law, the inclusion of a new chapter on crimes against women and children, and provisions for addressing mob lynching.

Amit Shah outlined several innovations incorporated in the new laws:

• Victim and Child Protection: Enhanced sensitivity towards crimes against women and children with dedicated sections.
• Forensic Investigation: Mandatory forensic investigations for offenses punishable by seven years or more, aimed at increasing the conviction rate to 90%.
• Technological Integration: Adoption of advanced technology, with provisions for future technological advancements over the next 50 years.
• Multilingual Availability: Laws and court proceedings will be available in all eight scheduled languages.
• Speedy Justice: Deadlines set for the completion of legal procedures, with a target to resolve cases up to the Supreme Court within three years from the filing of the FIR.

Shah addressed misconceptions regarding the new laws, including false claims about an increased remand period, confirming that the remand period remains unchanged at fifteen days. He also highlighted the government’s training initiatives, with over 23,000 master trainers educated to disseminate the new laws to approximately 22.5 lakh policemen, alongside the training of 21,000 subordinate judiciary officials and 20,000 public prosecutors.

The new laws aim to modernize India’s criminal justice system, making it one of the most advanced globally. “These reforms reflect the Indian spirit and will significantly benefit the people of our country,” Shah concluded.