New Criminal Laws Launched: Justice Over Punishment

Jaipur, Oct 2025: The “Nav Vidhan – Naya Pehchaan of Justice” exhibition was inaugurated, showcasing three new criminal laws described as the biggest reforms of the 21st century, emphasizing justice over punishment. The inauguration was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who highlighted the transformative impact of these laws on India’s criminal justice system.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repealed 160-year-old laws and introduced the Indian Penal Code, Indian Civil Security Code, and Indian Evidence Act. The full implementation of these laws will bring significant reforms to the criminal justice system, ensuring citizens timely and accessible justice. Shah emphasized that the laws are justice-oriented, not merely punitive.

Speaking about the state’s development, Shah noted that under Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit achieved historic milestones, with INR 7 lakh crore in projects already on the ground. Of the INR 35 lakh crore MoUs signed, work on INR 3 lakh crore had already commenced, and today, more than INR 4 lakh crore projects had their land foundation laid. Shah called this a “major achievement” and praised the CM for delivering results.

At the JECC, Sitapura, Shah addressed the exhibition, highlighting that the new laws protect citizens’ constitutional rights, enhance justice delivery, and are backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure effective implementation. Citizens were urged to visit the exhibition for a comprehensive understanding of these laws.

Shah further revealed that after the implementation of these laws, Rajasthan has seen an unprecedented increase in conviction rates, rising from 42% to 60%, with plans to reach 90%. The new laws include provisions for women, children, e-FIR, zero FIR, mandatory forensic investigation for offenses with over seven years of imprisonment, and first-time definitions for terrorism, mob lynching, and digital crimes.

The laws, described as revolutionary 21st-century reforms, are expected to make India’s criminal justice system one of the most modern in the world. Post-implementation, charge sheet filing rates have risen to 50%, with plans to ensure justice within three years for all FIRs registered from 2027 onward.

Shah also urged farmers to register pulses with NAFED and NCCF for procurement at MSP rates and encouraged citizens to purchase indigenous products during Diwali.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described the new laws as a historic step, freeing the country from colonial-era legal mindsets. He emphasized that victims’ rights are prioritized, with special protections for women and children. Police, judiciary, and administrative personnel are receiving extensive training for effective implementation.

Sharma highlighted the state’s modernized police force, including the formation of Anti-Gangster and Anti-Narcotics Task Forces, 22 new police stations, 35 police outposts, 65 Anti-Romeo Squads, three women battalions, and 500 Kalika Patrol Units for women and girls’ safety.

Within less than a year, investment proposals worth INR 7 lakh crore from the Rising Rajasthan Summit have been mobilized, and 92,000 youth have been appointed to government positions, with recruitment underway for 154,000 posts.

Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma said the new laws make the justice system dynamic and modern, not merely punitive, while DGP Rajiv Kumar Sharma noted they shift the system from a focus on punishment to justice-oriented outcomes.

The event was attended by Deputy CM Diya Kumari, Law Minister Jogaram Patel, MP Madan Rathore, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, NCRB Director Alok Ranjan, other officials, and police personnel via video conferencing.