Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the state will fully implement the newly enacted criminal laws within the next six months. This initiative aims to modernize the state’s criminal justice system and enhance public safety.
The new legislation comprises three acts:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Replaces the Indian Penal Code.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS): Supersedes the Code of Criminal Procedure.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA): Substitutes the Indian Evidence Act.
These laws, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, are designed to address contemporary challenges in law enforcement and judicial processes. They introduce provisions for incorporating electronic and technical evidence, aiming to increase conviction rates and improve the overall efficiency of the criminal justice system.
In a recent review meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged CM Fadnavis to expedite the implementation of these laws across all commissionerates in Maharashtra.
The state has already begun applying the new legal framework. The first First Information Report (FIR) under the BNS was registered by the Sawantwadi police in Sindhudurg district at 2:19 a.m. on July 1, 2024.
Additionally, Maharashtra is taking proactive steps to strengthen its law enforcement infrastructure. Plans are underway to establish the country’s most advanced cyber lab in Navi Mumbai to combat cybercrime effectively. The state is also setting up detention centers to house illegal Bangladeshi migrants involved in criminal activities, addressing concerns about unauthorized migration and its impact on public safety.
CM Fadnavis emphasized the importance of these developments, stating that the new laws and facilities will bring radical changes by including provisions for modern electronic and technical evidence, thereby increasing conviction rates and improving the criminal justice system.
Source: Web Team, C6N
