Haryana Directed to Fully Implement New Criminal Laws by March 31, 2025: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed the Haryana government to ensure the complete implementation of three newly enacted criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—by March 31, 2025. The directive underscores the government’s commitment to overhauling India’s criminal justice system by incorporating technology-driven enforcement mechanisms. 

A Major Shift in India’s Criminal Justice System 

The three new laws, which replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, aim to modernize the country’s legal framework by focusing on scientific investigation, digital evidence, and streamlined judicial processes. The central government has emphasized the need for interconnectivity between police, courts, forensic departments, prosecution, and prisons to improve efficiency and conviction rates. 

Haryana’s Role in Early Adoption 

During a high-level meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other senior officials, Amit Shah urged the state to take the lead in fully implementing these legal reforms. Haryana has been directed to: 

• Upgrade forensic capabilities by ensuring the deployment of forensic experts at crime scenes. 

• Enhance police training to familiarize law enforcement personnel with the new provisions. 

• Strengthen digital infrastructure for better evidence collection, case tracking, and inter-agency coordination. 

The government believes that incorporating modern investigation techniques and digital records will significantly reduce delays in the judicial process. 

Nationwide Implementation Plan 

While Haryana has been given a specific deadline, these legal changes are set to be implemented across the country in a phased manner. The focus will be on technology-driven policing, making forensic evidence mandatory in serious crimes, and improving case disposal efficiency. 

The Home Ministry has stressed that these laws are designed to: 

• Ensure faster justice through simplified legal procedures. 

• Increase conviction rates by relying more on scientific evidence rather than circumstantial arguments. 

• Protect citizens' rights by modernizing outdated legal provisions. 

Challenges and Preparations 

With just a year to implement these sweeping changes, Haryana and other states face significant challenges in terms of: 

• Training law enforcement personnel on the new legal framework. 

• Developing infrastructure for digital case management and forensic analysis. 

• Ensuring public awareness so that citizens understand how the changes affect them. 

A Transformational Reform for India’s Justice System

The new criminal laws mark a historic shift in India's judicial landscape, moving away from archaic legal systems toward a more efficient, evidence-based, and victim-centric approach. As Haryana gears up for full-scale implementation, other states are expected to follow suit in integrating these modern legal reforms into their systems.