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Chandigarh has become the first administrative unit in the country where 100 percent implementation of all three laws has been done.
These criminal laws were conceived on the advice of PM Modi. (Image: PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of three new criminal laws here on Tuesday.
These laws – the Indian Judicial Code, the Indian Civil Defense Code and the Indian Evidence Act – came into force on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
Chandigarh has become the first administrative unit in the country where 100 percent implementation of all three laws has been done.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the new criminal laws represent a concrete step towards realizing the ideals enshrined in the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens.
He said that these laws signal the end of colonial era laws.
Modi said the colonial-era laws were a medium of atrocities and exploitation carried out by the British when they ruled India.
“The Revolution of 1857 shook the roots of the British rule and in 1860, they brought the IPC and later, the Indian Evidence Act and the CrPC framework came into existence. The purpose of those laws was to punish Indians and keep them enslaved.” The Prime Minister said.
He stressed that speedy justice delivery has become possible under the new criminal laws and said the days of ‘tarikh pe tarikh’ or long trials for criminals are now over.
Modi, who was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, dedicated the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws to the nation here on Tuesday and said the judicial code is woven with the ideals of equality, harmony and social justice.
Emphasizing the importance of timely delivery of justice, he said that the days of ‘date after date’ are over.
‘Tarikh pe tarikh’ is a popular dialogue by actor Sunny Deol in the film “Damini”, where he laments the repeated adjournment culture in courts.
In his speech, Modi also underlined the need to broaden our perspective so that law can become a medium of citizen empowerment.
He said that there are many laws which lack discussion and deliberations and giving an example he said that there was a lot of discussion on the abrogation of Article 370 and triple talaq.
Modi said that these days the law related to Waqf Board is being debated.
He stressed that equal importance needs to be given to those laws which are made to enhance the dignity and self-respect of the citizens.
Meanwhile, Modi said that the touchstone of justice is to deliver justice on time.
Pointing to ensuring timely justice under the new laws, he said, “We have been hearing that justice has been delayed, justice has not been delivered.”
Time limits have been fixed for each step in a particular case, he said.
Modi gave the example of an accused being convicted in a vehicle theft case in Chandigarh in just two months.
Referring to a case in Delhi, he said that an accused got 20 years’ imprisonment within 60 days of the FIR being registered.
Modi also gave another example from Bihar where an accused in a murder case got life imprisonment in 14 days.
“These decisions reflect the strength and influence of BNS,” he said.
Modi stressed that this development shows that change and results are ensured when there is a government dedicated to the interests of common citizens and solving their problems.
He further urged that these decisions should be discussed more and more in the country so that every Indian knows how his power for justice has increased.
He said, with such decisions, criminals will now know that the days of ‘date after date’ are over.
He said, “Law should become a medium of citizen empowerment and for this we all should have a comprehensive approach.”
I am saying this because some laws are being discussed a lot here and should be discussed but some important laws remain deprived of debate, Modi said.
“When Article 370 was removed, there was a lot of discussion on it. Similarly, when the law on triple talaq came, there was discussion. These days a law related to Waqf Board is being discussed.
He said, “We should give equal importance to those laws which are made to enhance the dignity and self-respect of the people.”
He told about International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
He said that under the old legal system, ‘disabled people’ were addressed with derogatory terms.
Modi said his government came up with the Disability Rights Act in 2016, adding that it was not only a law related to the disabled but it was also a campaign to make the society more sensitive.
He said that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act is going to lay the foundation of a big change. He said that there are laws related to transgenders, Arbitration Act and GST Act and many such laws which need a healthy discussion.
Talking about colonial laws, Modi said that earlier even filing an FIR was very difficult.
“But now zero FIR has been legalised. Anyone can file a case from anywhere.
Modi said, the victim has been given the right to get a copy of the FIR.
Explaining several provisions of the new laws, he said that if a case against an accused is to be quashed, the consent of the victim will be required.
Noting that humanity and sensitivity are also sides of the BNS, he said an accused cannot be kept in jail for a long time without announcement of sentence, he said.
Regarding colonial laws, Modi said that despite all being equal in the eyes of law, the practical reality was different.
He underlined that the Indian Justice Code and the Indian Civil Defense Code have sensitivity towards every victim.
Modi said that useful tools like e-Saksha, Nyay Shruti, Nyay Setu, e-Samman portal were developed to implement the new laws.
He said, integration of digital systems and technology will help us fight terrorism.
He also said that under the new laws, terrorists and terrorist organizations will not be able to take advantage of the legal complexity.
Modi pointed out that most foreign investors did not want to invest in India earlier due to fear of long and delayed justice.
He further said that when this fear ends, investment will increase, which will strengthen the country’s economy.
Highlighting the shortcomings of the Indian Penal Code and the fear of law among honest people compared to criminals, Modi said the new judicial code has freed people from such troubles.
He said his government has abolished more than 1,500 laws made during the British era and urged all state governments to effectively implement the Indian Judicial Code and the Indian Civil Defense Code.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the three new laws have been fully implemented in Chandigarh. “Justice will be served within three years of the FIR being filed,” he said.
“Our criminal justice system will be the most modern system in the world,” Shah said.
The Union Home Minister also praised the Chandigarh administration for fully implementing the new laws.
Earlier, Modi watched a live demonstration simulating crime scene investigation under the new laws.
The process of collecting evidence and recording statements was demonstrated by the Chandigarh Police in an exhibition hall set up at the Punjab Engineering College here.
The program showcased the practical application of the new laws.
Modi was also informed by Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur.
The Prime Minister and Home Minister were also accompanied by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Chandigarh Advisor Rajeev Verma and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav.
The new criminal laws, which were implemented across the country on July 1, 2024, aim to make India’s legal system more transparent, efficient and adaptable to the needs of contemporary society, an official statement said on Monday.
It said that these landmark reforms mark a historic shift in India’s criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to deal with modern challenges such as cyber crime and organized crime and ensuring justice for victims of various crimes. Are.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,
- Place :
Chandigarh, India
