Will implement new criminal laws in three years: Devendra Fadnavis

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chairs a review meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the status of implementation of Maharashtra’s New Criminal Laws, in New Delhi on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

After the review meeting concerning the three new criminal laws, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday (February 14, 2025), stated that the State will implement all new laws completely within the next six months. He also informed that the United States has agreed to extradite the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the review meeting in New Delhi, which discussed the implementation and current status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in Maharashtra.

Mr. Shah also instructed the State to establish a model Directorate of Prosecution system in line with the new criminal laws and achieve a 90% conviction rate in cases where punishment is over seven years. 

Highlighting the partial implementation of the laws, Mr. Fadnavis said, “We have deployed 27 vans in the forensic department to handle cases older than seven years and the building of the forensic network will be completed in the next six months. In the training module, 90% of the 2,00,000 police force is trained and the remaining will be done soon.”

As per the new laws, Courts will be required to have designated, dedicated, and notified cubicles and the same in the forensic lab, and jail. This will help enable online case hearings and stop the movement of criminals.” 

“We have identified the shortcomings,” added Mr. Fadnavis. 

The three new criminal laws are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023. Mr. Shah asked officers to regularly monitor cases of organised crime, terrorism, and mob lynching to prevent the misuse of the sections related to these crimes. He also recommended Maharashtra implement a system, where FIRs can be transferred between two states through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

Mr. Fadnavis also appreciated America’s decision to extradite Rana to India. He said, “With several efforts, we could record his statement online, which helped us show Pakistan’s involvement. However, America was not ready to hand over him to India. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the approval of the extradition of “very evil” Rana to India “to face justice”.