Chandigarh, June 2 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision is to ensure that justice is not only delivered but reaches every citizen in a timely, transparent and technology-driven manner. He said the Haryana Government is translating this vision into reality through the effective implementation of the country’s new criminal laws, thereby strengthening transparency, accountability and efficiency in the justice delivery system.
The Chief Minister was presiding over a review meeting on Tuesday at Chandigarh regarding the implementation of the three new criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the meeting, he issued several important directions to further strengthen the criminal justice system.
The officers informed the Chief Minister that Haryana is among the leading states in the country in the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). The state has strengthened its criminal justice system through improved coordination among the Police, Prisons and Prosecution Departments, extensive training programmes and technological upgradation.
To ensure timely filing of charge sheets, the Chief Minister directed that investigating officers (IO)handling cases punishable with less than 10 years of imprisonment should receive daily SMS alerts from the 45th day onwards so that investigation reports are submitted within the prescribed 60-day timeline. He also directed that accountability of the concerned police station in-charge be fixed and that automatic alerts be sent to the Superintendent of Police on the 55th day.
The Chief Minister directed that for serious offences carrying punishment of more than 10 years, where the investigation period is 90 days, that monitoring and reporting should begin from the 60th day itself to prevent delays in filing charge sheets.Similar alerts should be sent to prevent delays in submitting charge sheets.
The Chief Minister directed officers to submit daily review reports on all such cases. He emphasised that ensuring time-bound investigations and speedy justice in line with the spirit of the new criminal laws is the responsibility of all concerned officers.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of the e-Sakshya and NAFIS systems and assessed the status of the NyayaShruti project. He emphasized the importance of scientific investigation, directed officers to ensure the maximum use of scientific evidence.
He said disciplinary action should be initiated against investigating officers who fail to collect fingerprints or other crucial scientific evidence during investigations.
The status of the NyayaShruti project was also reviewed in the meeting. Officers informed him that necessary resources are available to operate 453 video conferencing courts in the state. While most districts are recording utilisation rates of 90 to 92 per cent, seven districts are operating at around 87 per cent. The Chief Minister further directed officers to further improve utilisation in these districts.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the new criminal laws represent a historic reform in the justice delivery system and are aimed at making legal processes simpler, more transparent, technology-driven and time-bound. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that investigations are conducted using modern technology and scientific methods so that every citizen receives timely justice.
Home Secretary, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal said Haryana is among the leading states in the effective implementation of the new criminal laws. He said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is continuously taking reform-oriented measures to make the criminal justice system more modern, accountable and citizen-centric. He further informed that a weekly review meeting will be held every Tuesday with the Director General of Police to further improve implementation and performance under the new criminal laws.
Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Home Secretary, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General of Police, Sh. Ajay Singhal, Special Home Secretary (II) Ms. Aamna Tasneem, Director General (Prisons) Sh. Alok Mittal, Smt. Kala Ramachandran and other senior officers were present during the meeting.
