Amit Shah: New criminal laws built on technology, timeline, trust to ensure speedy justice

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the new criminal laws, which replace colonial-era statutes, are designed to provide speedy justice to citizens through a technology-driven and time-bound system. He was speaking at the ceremony where the President’s Police Colour was presented to the Puducherry Police at the Police Training School ground in Gorimedu.

The three criminal laws – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – were enacted by Parliament in 2023 and came into effect in July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

“The new laws are based on three pillars of technology, timeline and trust. The aim was to provide justice to the people of our country,” Mr. Shah said, addressing the gathering after the presentation ceremony.

The Home Minister lauded the Puducherry Police for being conferred the President’s Police Colour, describing it as “a glorious moment for any disciplined police force.” He noted that the force, with a strength of less than 5,000 personnel, is entrusted with maintaining internal security in the Union Territory.

Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic period, Mr. Shah said he had the opportunity to observe the Puducherry Police’s work closely while reviewing the situation in Union Territories. “They did a good job in a difficult situation,” he added.

The Minister also spoke about the Centre’s support to Puducherry, saying that between 2014 and 2026, the Union government provided around ₹13,762 crore for welfare and development works. Around 7.7 lakh people in Puducherry have benefited from central schemes including the Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.

During the event, Mr. Shah handed over the ceremonial colour flag to the Puducherry Police, marking the force becoming the 18th State or Union Territory in the country to receive the highest honour conferred on a police force. Superintendents of Police Subham Sundar Ghosh and Rachna Singh led the Pile-the-Drum Ceremony before the flag was handed over.

Mr. Shah also presented the Kendriya Griha Mantri Dakshata Padak and scrolls to Senior Superintendent of Police R. Kalaivanan and Senior Superintendent of Police Lakshmi Soujanya.

Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Home Minister A. Namassivayam and Director General of Police Shalini Singh were among those who spoke at the event. Ministers, legislators from the ruling AINRC, BJP leaders and senior officers attended the ceremony.