Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated a state-level exhibition on new criminal laws in Kurukshetra, Haryana, while also dedicating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹900 crore undertaken by the Haryana government.
The event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and several dignitaries. Shah said that the state government had inaugurated four projects and laid the foundation stone for eight projects, reflecting the Centre’s and state’s commitment to accelerating development.
Addressing the gathering, Shah hailed the new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—as the biggest reform of the 21st century in India’s criminal justice system. He said the laws, which replaced British-era legislations on July 1, 2024, mark a transition from punishment-driven systems to justice-oriented frameworks, ensuring rights for every citizen, especially the poor.
Shah asserted that the laws have already shown results, with Haryana’s conviction rate doubling from 40% to over 80%. He noted that E-FIRs, Zero FIRs, mandatory videography of seizures, and compulsory forensic investigations for serious crimes have strengthened transparency and accountability. For the first time, definitions of terrorism, organized crime, and mob lynching have been included, along with timelines for police, judiciary, and prosecution.
Highlighting implementation progress, Shah said that within one year, 53% of FIRs nationwide had charge-sheets filed within 60 days, while in Haryana the figure stood at 71%, showing “initial success.” He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs has trained 14.8 lakh police personnel, 42,000 jail officers, 19,000 court staff, and 11,000 prosecutors to effectively enforce the new laws.
On the development front, Shah lauded the Haryana government’s governance model, noting that job recruitment in the state is now based on merit rather than “kharchi or parchi” (bribery or nepotism). He said the projects inaugurated today would give a strong push to Haryana’s growth and infrastructure.
Calling for a national push towards self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), Shah urged citizens to take a Diwali pledge to use only Indian-made products. “If 140 crore Indians buy products made in India, our economy will surge, and by 2047 India will be at the forefront in every sector globally,” he said.