**Summary:**
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced new criminal laws designed to expedite the judicial process and enhance protections for victims, particularly in cases involving women and children. Key provisions focus on strict timelines for various stages, including completing preliminary inquiries within 14 days, further investigations within 90 days, and judgment pronouncements within 45 days. The laws prioritize investigations into offenses against women and children, mandating completion within two months. To prevent delays, a maximum of two adjournments will be permitted during case hearings.
Technology will be leveraged to improve efficiency and transparency. The eSakshya application will ensure the lawful and tamper-proof collection and submission of digital evidence. eSummon will allow for electronic delivery of summons, while NyayaShruti VC will facilitate virtual appearances for various parties through video conferencing.
The new laws also aim to protect the dignity of rape victims. The victim's statement must be recorded via audio-visual means by the police. Statements for certain offenses against women should be recorded by a female Magistrate, or in their absence, a male Magistrate in the presence of a woman. Medical practitioners are required to submit medical reports of rape victims to investigating officers within 7 days. Free first aid and medical treatment are mandated at all hospitals for victims of crimes against women and children.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, includes stringent punishments, including the death sentence, for the rape of minor women. Gang rape of a minor is punishable by life imprisonment or death. This information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and law enforcement.
eSakshya: An application developed to enable lawful, scientific, and tamperproof collection, preservation, and electronic submission of digital evidence.
eSummon: An application developed to allow summons to be delivered through electronic means.
NyayaShruti VC: An application that facilitates virtual appearance of accused persons, witnesses, etc., through video conferencing.
Governor: Constitutional head of a state in India, to whom mercy petitions can be filed.
President: The President of India, to whom mercy petitions can be filed.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India, where a question related to the new criminal laws was answered.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: A new criminal law in India that provides for stringent punishment for the offence of rape on minor women.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NEW CRIMINAL LAW FOR SPEEDY JUSTICE
PROCESS
Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 1:41PM by PIB Delhi
Details of provisions made in new criminal laws for expediting judicial process are as follows:-
i. Faster and Fair Resolution: The new laws promise a faster and fair resolution of cases, instilling
confidence in the legal system. Crucial stages of investigation and trial like - preliminary enquiry (to be
completed in 14 days), further investigation (to be completed in 90 days), supply of document to the
victim and accused (within 14 days), commitment of a case for trial (within 90 days), filing of discharge
applications (within 60 days), framing of charges (within 60 days), pronouncement of judgment
(within 45 days) and filing of mercy petitions (30 days before Governor and 60 days before President) -
have been streamlined and to be completed within stipulated time period.
ii. Fast-Track Investigations: The new laws prioritize the investigations for offences against women and
children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information.
iii. Adjournments: Provision of a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays in case
hearings, ensuring timely justice delivery.
iv. To significantly improve the speed, efficiency and transparency of the judicial process, applications like
e-Sakshya, e-Summon, and Nyaya-Shruti (VC) have been developed. While the e-Sakshya enables
lawful, scientific and tamper-proof collection, preservation and electronic submission of digital
evidence thus ensuring authenticity and reducing delays, e-Summon allow summons to be delivered
through electronic means, making the process faster, time-bound and easily trackable. Nyaya-Shruti
(VC) facilitates virtual appearance of accused persons, witnesses, police officials, prosecutors, scientific
experts, prisoners etc. through video conferencing.
Details of provisions made in the new criminal laws for protecting the dignity of rape victim are given below:
i. In order to provide more protection to the victim of rape and enforce transparency in investigation
related to an offence of rape, the statement of the victim shall be recorded through audio video means
by police.
ii. For certain offences against woman, statement of the victim is to be recorded, as far as practicable,
by a woman Magistrate and in her absence a male Magistrate in the presence of a woman to ensure
sensitivity and fairness, creating a supportive environment for victims.
iii. Medical practitioners are mandated to send the medical report of a victim of rape to the
investigating officer within 7 days.
iv. The new laws provide for free first-aid or medical treatment to victims of crimes against
women and children at all hospitals. This provision ensures immediate access to essential
medical care, prioritizing the well-being and recovery of victims during challenging times.
In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, stringent punishment up to death sentence has been
provided for the offence of rape on minor women. The offence of gang rape on a minor woman is
punishable with imprisonment for life or death.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in
a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
***RK/VV/HS/PS/PR
(Release ID: 2147184)