New criminal laws will ensure cases are resolved within 3 years of registration: Home Minister Amit Shah

During a press conference on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah remarked that after nearly 77 years of independence, the criminal justice system has become fully indigenous, and will operate based on Indian values and principles..The Home Minister was speaking on the day the three new criminal laws - the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam - came into force..During his speech, he made the bold assurance that the new laws would ensure that criminal cases attain finality within three years of their registration."Once all three laws are fully implemented, it will not take more than 3 years from filing an FIR to getting justice from the Supreme Court and I am confident of this.".The new laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act, all made by the Britishers, he said."It will give justice, speedy trial and protection to the rights of the victims and the complainant. These laws have come into effect with a new perspective. With a new approach, these three laws have started working from this morning i.e. from midnight.".The Home Minister spoke about Section 150 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which in effect replaces Sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, a provision that was kept in abeyance by the Supreme Court.“Sedition was a law that the British made to protect their rule. Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak and Sardar Patel…all of them served 6 years of imprisonment under this law. Kesari was also banned under this law. But now we have abolished the Sedition law and in its place have brought a new section for anti-national activities...We have completely eradicated treason. Earlier, making statements against the government was a crime. This law will create the most modern justice system," he added..Shah further stated that the judicial process will now be accessible in all the languages listed under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.He informed the press that the first case under the new criminal laws was lodged in Madhya Pradesh.“The first case under the new law was registered at 12:10 AM for theft in Gwalior. It is a lie that the first case has been registered against a street vendor.".The opposition's allegation that these laws were passed at a time when several Members of Parliament (MPs) were suspended is false, remarked Shah."There was a discussion of 9.29 hours in the Lok Sabha on the new criminal laws and 34 members participated in it. There was a discussion of more than 6 hours in the Rajya Sabha and 40 members participated in the discussion...The Bill was already listed before the Business Advisory Committee. I strongly believe that the opposition was already boycotting the Parliament, perhaps they did not want to participate in the discussion."On December 20, 2023, the Lok Sabha had passed the three new criminal bills in the absence of 97 opposition MPs who were placed under suspension..Shah went on to state that the government has prioritised sections and chapters in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. He stated that this change was long overdue, and highlighted that an entire chapter with 35 sections and 13 provisions has been added."Now, gang rape will attract 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment. Rape of a minor will attract death penalty, a separate offence has been defined for sexual exploitation by concealing identity or making false promises. Provision has been made for recording the statement of the victim at her home in the presence of women officers and her own family. Apart from this, the facility of online FIR has also been provided. We believe that in this way, many women can be saved from embarrassment," he said..[Watch full press conference here]