Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Promotes Victim-Centric, Technology-Driven Criminal Laws
Amit Shah spoke about three new laws for handling crimes in India.
He said they replace older laws from the British colonial period.
The government says the new system will focus more on helping victims than only punishing offenders.
It gives special attention to women and children.
People may be able to report crimes through Zero FIRs and e-FIRs.
Investigators and courts will use electronic evidence, forensic methods and online hearings.
Shah said technology, transparency and deadlines could make cases move faster.
He claimed that, after the system is fully implemented, cases could reach the Supreme Court within three years.
During the visit, he also discussed border security and fencing near Bangladesh.
Amit Shah said three new criminal laws replaced India’s “colonial” criminal justice system.
He described the framework as victim-centric rather than punishment-centric, with priority for women and children.
The laws highlight Zero FIRs, e-FIRs, electronic and forensic evidence, and online court proceedings.
Shah said technology, transparency and fixed timelines could help cases reach the Supreme Court within three years after full implementation.
During his Siliguri visit, Shah reviewed Sashastra Seema Bal projects and discussed land for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sashastra Seema Bal personnel, and officials connected with West Bengal’s government.
- What
- Shah presented the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam as technology-driven, victim-focused reforms, and discussed border-security infrastructure.
- When
- On Friday, during Shah’s visit to Siliguri; the articles do not specify the calendar date.
- Where
- Siliguri, West Bengal, including the Sashastra Seema Bal Frontier Headquarters and an exhibition on the new laws.
- Why
- To explain the intended effects of the new criminal laws and address border security, including land for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.
Shah’s Claims
Reported TMC Position
Implementation in West Bengal
Shah’s Claims
Shah accused the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of deliberately delaying notification of the new laws, alleging concern over corruption cases and the previous system.
Reported TMC Position
The articles do not include a response from the Trinamool Congress or Mamata Banerjee to Shah’s allegations.
Justice-system performance
Shah’s Claims
Shah said the new laws would improve investigations and trials through technology, transparency, forensic evidence and fixed timelines.
Reported TMC Position
The articles provide no opposing assessment of the new laws’ likely effectiveness or of Shah’s claims about the previous system.
Rule of law in Bengal
Shah’s Claims
Shah claimed the BJP government had begun replacing a system of “syndicate, cut money, toll tax and fear” with governance based on trust and the rule of law.
Reported TMC Position
No response from the previous state government or the Trinamool Congress is reported in the articles.
- New criminal laws
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
- Stated focus
- Victim-centric justice, with priority for women and children
- Three Ts
- Technology, Transparency and Timeline
- Highlighted provisions
- Zero FIR, e-FIR, electronic evidence, forensic investigation and online court proceedings
- Projected timeline
- Shah claimed cases could reach the Supreme Court within three years after full implementation
- Border fencing land
- Shah said the West Bengal government had handed over more than 1,100 acres for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border
- Strategic region
- The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow land link connecting mainland India with northeastern India
