NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence on Monday that the conviction rate in criminal cases will rise to 80 per cent once the three new criminal laws are fully implemented across the nation in the coming years.
Speaking at the 79th Raising Day parade of the Delhi Police, Shah stated that the fight against Maoist violence is in its final phase and assured that the menace will end by March 2026.
He highlighted that the three new justice-based criminal laws represent a significant milestone achieved by the country over the last 11 years. These laws are expected to enhance the efficiency of case disposal and increase conviction rates after their full implementation in the coming years, he said.
The three new criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — replaced the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act on July 1, 2024.
“After full implementation of the new Nyaya Sanhita, our justice system will become the most modern in the world. It will reduce delays in the justice system and will also help in increasing the conviction rate,” Shah said, adding that some states such as Assam, Gujarat and Haryana have reported “unprecedented rise” in the conviction rate.
Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has achieved several significant milestones, and whenever justice is discussed in the country, the three new Nyaya Sanhitas will certainly be mentioned, he said.
“Within the next two years, after the full implementation of these laws, any FIR filed in the country will receive a final decision up to the Supreme Court within three years,” he said, asserting that the conviction rate will go up to 80 per cent.
Elaborating on the three criminal laws, Shah mentioned that a separate chapter has been added for crimes against children and women, and e-FIR and Zero FIR have been given legal backing.
Under the ICJS (Integrated Criminal Justice System), the police, judiciary, forensic science, prosecution, and prisons have been integrated, and their services have been made online, the home minister said.
For the first time, community service has been introduced as a legal form of punishment for minor offences, and terrorism has been clearly defined, with provisions for trial in absentia for fugitives who flee the country, Shah highlighted.
Shah also stated that forensic visits are now mandatory for crimes carrying a punishment of more than seven years, and provisions have been made to attach the properties of declared offenders residing outside India.
Additionally, in the new laws, the director of prosecution has been given more importance. The definition of documents has been expanded to grant legal recognition to electronic and digital records, he added.
The home minister also launched various new initiatives of the Delhi Police, including an integrated headquarters for the Special Cell and the first phase of the Safe City project.
Union Home Minister also asserted that the Naxal violence in several states is breathing its last and would be eliminated by March 2026.
Shah, addressing the Delhi Police Raising Day function here, also highlighted the Centre’s resolve to develop a security system so strong that not even a single infiltrator can cross the borders.
The last 12 years, since 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been a “golden era” in the history of the country’s internal security, Shah emphasised in a statement.
The country faced three problems before 2014, including militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Left-wing extremism, and the violence in the Northeast, he pointed out.
Naxalism, which spread across 11 states, has always been a major challenge to the country’s internal security, Shah said, adding that, “We are very close to completely eradicating Naxalism, and we will certainly succeed in making the entire country free from Naxal violence by March 31, 2026.”
In the Northeast as well, over 10,000 youth have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream, and through over 12 peace agreements, the Centre has done significant work in establishing peace, he stated.
In the coming times, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will weave a network of CCTV cameras across the country to establish a new security system, Shah noted.
“The entire focus of the MHA will remain on modernising the security system at every land border of the country, making the nation free from infiltrators, and full implementation of the three new Nyay Samhitas (criminal laws,” he said.
Shah lauded the Delhi Police on its Raising Day function for discharging its responsibilities with “excellence and success”, highlighting the importance of the city’s security meeting the highest global standards.
Shah laid the foundation stones of various projects of the Delhi Police, including an integrated headquarters of its Special Cell. He also inaugurated the first phase of the Safe City Project, involving a modern command control centre with 21,000 CCTV cameras, out of which 10,000 went live in the initial phase.
Shah added that the Safe City Project will significantly enhance Delhi’s security in the coming days.
