Haryana to Implement New Criminal Laws

• 10 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Haryana is going to fully implement the three new criminal laws by 28th February 2025. The widespread adoption of 5G technology would act as a force multiplier, as the new laws require digital evidence through mandatory videography of crime scenes and recovery procedures. 

 Key Points 

• Timelines and Challenges: 
  • The new laws mandate strict timelines for courts to complete trial proceedings. 
  • Courts face challenges as they must handle both pending cases under old laws and new cases in a time-bound manner. 
  • Courts are now required to accept chargesheets electronically, leaving no room for exceptions. 
• Amendments to Police Rules: 
  • The existing Police Rules need amendments to align with the new legal framework. 
  • For example; introduction of electronic summons delivery, previously unaddressed in the rules. 
• E-Summons App: 
  • The E-Summons App eliminates the need for physical delivery of summons. 
  • Summons are transferred electronically, served via mobile devices or WhatsApp, and acknowledged screenshots are uploaded to the system. 
• Technological Upgrades in Policing: 
  • Equipment: 
    • Tablets and mobile handsets are being procured for the police. 
    • Each police station of Haryana has six computers connected to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). 
  • E-Sakshya App: 
    • Designed to upload electronic evidence, requiring extensive backend storage, which is managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). 
• Legislative Changes: 
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and Code of Criminal Procedure, respectively. 
  • These laws, effective from 1^st July 2024, aim to strengthen infrastructure and forensic capabilities. 

 National Informatics Centre (NIC)  

• It is a premiere S&T institution of the Government of India, established in 1976, for providing e-Government / e- Governance Solutions adopting best practices, integrated services and global solutions in Government Sector. 

 Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems 

• Background: 
  • Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) is a plan scheme conceived in the light of experience of a non-plan scheme namely - Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA). 
• Launch: 
  • CCTNS is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 
  • Approx. 14,000 Police Stations throughout the country have been proposed to be automated besides 6000 higher offices in the police hierarchy. 
  • It was approved in 2009. 
• Objectives: 
  • Make the Police functioning citizen friendly and more transparent by automating the functioning of Police Stations. 
  • Improve delivery of citizen-centric services through effective usage of ICT. 
  • Provide the Investigating Officers of the Civil Police with tools, technology and information to facilitate investigation of crime and detection of criminals.