Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday criticized opposition parties for opposing and politicizing the new criminal laws, saying that the laws should be supported.
The new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita — came into effect from midnight on July 1.
Responding to the Opposition’s criticism that no discussions were held before the implementation of the laws, Shah said, “A few friends in the Opposition are making different claims before the media. However, I would like to tell you all that 9.29 hours of discussions were held in the Lok Sabha with 34 members participating. In the Rajya Sabha, over 6 hours of discussions were held. 40 members participated in the discussions.”
He also addressed allegations that the bill was introduced after members were suspended, saying, “The Bill was already listed before the Business Advisory Committee. The Opposition was boycotting the House beforehand, perhaps they didn’t want to participate in the discussions. I want to tell the Opposition that there are several occasions to do politics but this should be supported.”
Shah said that discussions on these laws spanned over four years, making it one of the most extensively discussed legislations before being presented in Parliament.
Shah said that around 6.20 lakh police personnel in over 17,000 police stations have been trained for the new laws.
“For training of 22.50 lakh police personnel, over 12,000 trainers are ready,” Shah said.
“The first FIR under the new law was registered in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior for a motorcycle theft at around 12:10 am. The case against the street vendor in Delhi was not the first under the new law,” Shah clarified during a press conference in Delhi on Monday.
Shah said that criminal cases registered under the repealed laws before Monday will continue under those laws, adding that by August 15, the new criminal laws will be implemented in all Union territories.
The Union Home Minister emphasized that the new laws focus on a victim-centric approach.
“The focus is on crimes against women and children. Crimes such as gang rape and mob lynching are separately defined. I firmly believe that these three laws will become the most modern laws once properly implemented,” he said.
Shah highlighted that an FIR copy is now mandatory for the complainant under the new law, and visiting a police station to register an FIR is no longer required.
He also clarified that the remand period is 15 days and that the arrested person must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours. “Justice delivery within 45 days is a must. FIRs need to be registered within three days, and chargesheets must be submitted within 90 days,” he said.
On digitization, the Union Home Minister said, “99.99 percent of police stations have been computerized. Everything will be digital, including chargesheets. Forensic evidence has been made mandatory. Videography during search and seizure is a must, as well as recording. An e-register is now necessary.”
He assured that with the implementation of these three laws, any case will receive justice within three to four years, even if it goes to the Supreme Court.
(With ANI input)