New criminal laws are transparent, tech-driven: HM Amit Shah

Kolkata, Aug 21 (IANS) The three new laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), are more transparent, technology‑oriented and timeline‑oriented compared to the earlier “colonial” criminal justice system, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday.

“The three new laws are intended to strengthen the protection of citizens, property and victims while speeding up the criminal justice process. At the same time, they are more victim‑centric rather than punishment‑centric, unlike the previous system,” Shah said while addressing an exhibition highlighting provisions of the BNS, BNSS and BSA.

He emphasised that provisions such as Zero FIR, E‑FIR, electronic evidence, forensic evidence and online court proceedings make the new laws more victim‑centric.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah also criticised the previous Mamata Banerjee‑led Trinamool Congress government, accusing it of deliberately delaying notification for the implementation of the three new laws in West Bengal.

“The notification was not issued deliberately out of fear that the castles of corruption built by the previous ruling party would collapse in minutes following the implementation of the three new laws. In the Bengal elections, we promised the people of Bengal to form a government of trust, not fear. The first file that the new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, signed after assuming office was to implement our three new codes of justice and remove the old laws of the British era. From there, the work of building trust instead of fear began,” Shah said.

He further claimed that during the previous Trinamool regime, proper investigation was not conducted in important cases such as the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, Kasba Law College case, assault on women at Sandeshkhali and the Durgapur Medical College rape case.

“We are emphasising increased use of technology in the new code of justice so that the police can gather more technology‑based evidence in their investigations. This will speed up the trial process,” Shah said.

–IANS

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