Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Rajasthan’s conviction rate has risen from 42 per cent to 60 per cent within a year of implementing the new criminal laws. He said the three new laws mark a shift in India’s criminal justice system — from punishment to justice.
Shah was speaking at a programme in Jaipur where he inaugurated a state-level exhibition on the new criminal laws, performed the groundbreaking for investment proposals worth Rs 4 lakh crore, and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various state government projects.
He said the laws have been implemented precisely across the country, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guiding states in their rollout and follow-up. Replacing the British-era laws — “made in their Parliament to protect British rule” — with laws “made by Indians, for Indians” is a “historic achievement,” he said.
The new laws, Shah noted, include a separate chapter for crimes against women and children, provisions for e-FIR and zero FIR, mandatory videography of seizures, and compulsory forensic investigation for offences with punishments exceeding seven years. He expressed confidence that Rajasthan’s conviction rate could rise to 90 percent once the laws are fully enforced.
He said around 50 per cent of chargesheets are now filed on time, a figure expected to reach 90 per cent next year. To ensure smooth implementation, the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) has been set up, with affiliated colleges across India to train youth in scientific investigation.
Shah said the laws define terrorism, mob lynching, organised crime and digital crime for the first time, and set time limits in more than 29 provisions. Describing the reforms as the “biggest of the 21st century,” he said India’s criminal justice system will become “the most modern in the world” once the laws are fully in force.
He added that training for millions of police personnel, thousands of judicial officers, forensic officials and prison staff has been completed.
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On Rajasthan, Shah said Rs 3 lakh crore worth of projects from last year’s ‘Rising Rajasthan’ MoUs have been executed, while the groundbreaking for another Rs 4 lakh crore took place Monday. Development projects worth Rs 9,315 crore were also launched.
Targeting the Congress, Shah alleged corruption in school uniform distribution, contrasting it with the Bhajan Lal Sharma government’s Rs 260 crore transfer to 47,000 students via DBT. He said Rs 364 crore in subsidies had been given to over 5 lakh milk producers, and the 150-unit free electricity scheme registration was launched. The day also saw the inauguration of 56 Forensic Science Laboratory vehicles and several police vehicles.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Deputy CMs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan were present at the event.
