Haryana

• 10 Jan 2025

Haryana to Implement New Criminal Laws

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.