Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that under the newly introduced criminal and penal codes, legal cases will not extend beyond a two-year duration. Shah urged all states to collaborate in establishing essential infrastructure and capacities necessary for the effective implementation of these laws.
Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, asserted that after the recent introduction of three Bills in Parliament to replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Indian Evidence Act, legal cases will not extend beyond a two-year duration. Speaking at the 26th meeting of the Western Zonal Council of states in Gandhinagar, Shah emphasized the need for all states to collaboratively establish essential foundational infrastructure and capabilities to ensure the effective implementation of these new laws.
The meeting witnessed the presence of chief ministers from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and the administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, namely Bhupendra Patel, Eknath Shinde, Pramod Sawant, and Praful Patel. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, as well as ministers and chief secretaries from the states within the western zone, were also participants.
Shah remarked, “After the recent passage of three new Bills – Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 – introduced by the Modi government in Parliament, no legal case will be prolonged for more than two years. This change is expected to eliminate 70% of negative energy.”
He called upon all states to actively facilitate the creation of essential basic infrastructure and capacity necessary for the effective enforcement of these laws. The release following the meeting indicated that discussions covered 17 issues, with nine of them resolved, while the remaining topics were earmarked for continuous monitoring and detailed deliberation.
The statement also highlighted crucial concerns, including land transfer matters, water supply, the activation of auctioned mines, expansion of banking and postal services to villages, expedited investigation of sexual offenses against women and children, and the establishment of fast-track special courts for the prompt resolution of cases under the POCSO Act.
Other matters addressed encompassed the utilization of Bharat Net infrastructure to provide broadband connectivity to rural households and the adoption of telecom RoW Rules to facilitate the rollout of 5G services.
Shah urged states to focus on three specific agendas – POSHAN Abhiyaan for nutrition, reduction of school dropout rates, and ensuring access to benefits from Ayushman Bharat and PM Jan Arogya Yojana for the underprivileged.
