PM Modi dedicate three new Criminal Laws to the Nation in Chandigarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita  2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 at a function held in Chandigarh on 3 December 2024.

The function was organised in Chandigarh as Chandigarh is India's first state/Union Territory to have fully implemented the three new criminal laws.

Union Minister Amit Shah said the three new criminal laws will be implemented in the country within three years. 

The three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita  2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, were implemented on 1st July  2024.

Who attended the Function? 

The function's theme was "Secure Society, Developed India—From Punishment to Justice." The Union Home Minister and Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah, the Administrator of Chandigarh, the Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria, and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav attended.

During the function, Prime Minister Modi observed a live crime scene investigation demo by the  Chandigarh Police at Punjab Engineering College, showcasing evidence collection under the new laws.

According to Amit Shah, the new criminal laws aim to secure a conviction within three years of filing an FIR.

End of Colonial mindset

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that countries need to come out of the colonial mindset. He said that the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted by the British in 1860 after the first freedom struggle of 1857. The criminal code enacted by the British was to punish Indians and enslave them.

India, which has set a target to become a developed country or Viksikt Bharat by 2047, needed a new law made by Indians for Indians.

About the Three Criminal Laws 

The three new criminal laws replace the British-era criminal laws and seek to make the country’s legal justice system more transparent, efficient, and modern.

The three new laws replace the following laws:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860,
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and 
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, will replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

Four apps to ensure the implementation of three criminal laws

The Union Home Ministry has also launched four apps—e-Sakshya, Nyaya Setu, Nyaya Shruti, and e-Summon—to ensure the country's smooth implementation of the three new criminal laws. 

The functions of these apps are:

•  e-Sakshya, all testimonies, videography and photography will be saved on the e-evidence server. It will be available to all the courts on a real-time basis.
•  e-Summon app, the courts will electronically send summons to police stations and the concerned person to whom the summons is to be sent.
• Nyaay Setu Dashboard will link the Police, Medical, Forensic, Prosecution, and Prison authorities. It will provide the police with all the information related to the investigation on a real-time basis. 
• Nyaay Shruti app will enable the court to hear witnesses via videoconferencing.