Haryana, Goa, Punjab Lead Successful Rollout of New Criminal Laws
Three Indian states—Haryana, Goa, and Punjab—have emerged as frontrunners in the implementation of the newly enacted criminal laws, according to official assessments. These states have achieved near-complete compliance in key areas such as registration of cases, use of forensic evidence, and digital record-keeping under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been monitoring the rollout across states and Union Territories. Sources indicate that Haryana, Goa, and Punjab have demonstrated superior performance in training police personnel, updating case management systems, and ensuring that investigations adhere to the new timelines mandated by the BNSS. For instance, the BNSS requires that chargesheets be filed within 60 or 90 days depending on the crime, a provision that has been successfully adopted by these states.
In Haryana, the state police have conducted extensive workshops for officers at all levels, focusing on the new provisions related to zero FIR, e-FIR, and mandatory videography of crime scenes. Goa has leveraged its existing digital infrastructure to integrate the new laws with its crime database, enabling seamless submission of electronic evidence. Punjab, meanwhile, has prioritised the appointment of trained prosecutors and the creation of specialised courts to handle cases under the new laws.
The successful rollout in these states contrasts with challenges faced elsewhere, including delays in technology upgrades and resistance from some police personnel accustomed to the older procedures. The MHA has urged lagging states to accelerate their efforts and adopt best practices from Haryana, Goa, and Punjab.
These new criminal laws, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, aim to overhaul India's criminal justice system by emphasising justice over punishment, incorporating modern forensic methods, and protecting the rights of victims. The central government has emphasised that the transition is a crucial step towards a more efficient and citizen-friendly legal framework.
