Under PM Modi, govt committed to provide citizens a speedy, transparent justice system: HM Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government is committed to providing the citizens with a speedy and transparent justice system. He emphasised that to strengthen law and order, it is essential to register crimes without any delay.

Chairing a review meeting on the status of implementation of three new criminal laws in northeastern states in Guwahati, the Home Minister said that the northeastern states need to put in more efforts towards the implementation of the new criminal laws.

He stated that once these laws are fully enforced, there would be a significant transformation in the region's law and order situation, ensuring that justice is delivered by the Supreme Court within three years of an FIR being registered in any case. Officials said that the meeting reviewed the implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in the north-eastern states.

The meeting, held at a hotel in Guwahati, was attended by the Governor of Manipur and the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of northeastern states, the Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the Director of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state governments also attended the meeting.

The Home Minister also unveiled a book titled ‘New Criminal Laws: Standard Operating Procedures and Rules’ prepared by CID, Assam.

HM Shah said that there should be no political interference in registering cases related to terrorism, mob lynching, and organised crime.

He said that all northeastern states should ensure training of 100 per cent police personnel on the new criminal laws.

The Home Minister requested the Chief Ministers of the northeastern states to hold a review meeting every month on the implementation of the laws and directed the Director Generals of Police and Chief Secretaries of the states to conduct a review meeting every 15 days.

The Home Minister also said that the administration of the three new criminal laws must reach the grassroots level, and police stations should become places where people receive justice.

He emphasised that this would only be possible with 100 per cent implementation of three new laws.

Congratulating the Assam government for ensuring filing of charge sheet within the stipulated time frame of 60-90 days in 66 per cent cases he urged other states to follow this approach.

He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of progress in this regard. Emphasising the urgent need for the implementation of e-Sakshya, HM Shah stated that until there are sufficient scientific officers, it will not be possible to file fully satisfactory charge sheets from a forensic science perspective.

HM Shah further urged use of "Trial in Absentia" provision, which will help bring fugitive criminals back to the country.

Noting that for a long time, the police in the northeast were primarily focused on fighting insurgency, he suggested that if the stronger Directorate of Prosecution is constituted, it would be easier to ensure justice for the people.

However, with insurgency now nearly eradicated in the region, the police should shift their focus toward protecting people's lives, property, and dignity, he said.

HM Shah further stated that the Modi government introduced three new laws after an extensive and detailed deliberation process spanning nearly 45 months.

The three new laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), enacted last year, replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively, from July 1 this year.

The Home Minister attended a series of programmes in Assam and Mizoram since Friday (March 14) and left Guwahati for New Delhi on Sunday night after holding the important meeting on three new criminal laws with the Chief Ministers of northeastern states.