Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 21st July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Ministry of Home Affairs has replaced the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) to establish a citizen-centric and efficient criminal justice system. These laws introduce mandatory timelines for judicial processes, including a 45-day limit for judgments and a two-month completion target for investigations into crimes against women and children. The reform emphasizes technological integration through digital evidence submission and virtual court appearances to ensure a speedy justice process.
Key Points / Main Content
Legislative Reforms
The Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, have been repealed.
Three new laws (BNS, BNSS, and BSA, 2023) have been implemented to provide accessible and affordable justice.
Streamlined Timelines for Investigation and Trial
Enquiry and Investigation: Preliminary enquiries must be completed in 14 days, and further investigations within 90 days.
Case Progression: Documents must be supplied to victims and the accused within 14 days; case commitment for trial must occur within 90 days.
Legal Filings: Discharge applications and the framing of charges are each restricted to a 60-day window.
Judgments and Petitions: Judgments must be pronounced within 45 days. Mercy petitions must be filed within 30 days before the Governor and 60 days before the President.
Fast-Track Procedures and Delay Prevention
Investigations for offences against women and children must be completed within two months of recording information.
A maximum of two adjournments is permitted per case to avoid unnecessary hearing delays.
Technological Integration
e-Sakshya: Used for the scientific collection, preservation, and electronic submission of digital evidence.
e-Summon: Facilitates time-bound and trackable electronic delivery of summons.
Nyaya-Shruti: A video conferencing tool for the virtual appearance of accused persons, witnesses, police, and experts.
Impact Analysis
Victims and AccusedImpact
Parties involved in criminal cases will experience faster resolutions and increased transparency. They are guaranteed access to essential case documents within a strict 14-day timeframe.
Action Required
Must adhere to the new 60-day limit for filing discharge applications and follow streamlined timelines for trial participation.
Law Enforcement and Police OfficialsImpact
Police are now bound by strict statutory deadlines for preliminary enquiries and investigations. The transition to digital evidence and electronic summons shifts the operational focus toward technological platforms.
Action Required
Must complete investigations for offences against women and children within two months and utilize e-Sakshya for evidence and e-Summon for notification delivery.
Judiciary and Legal ProfessionalsImpact
Judges and prosecutors are required to manage cases with a significantly reduced allowance for adjournments and must meet strict deadlines for framing charges and delivering judgments.
Action Required
Judges must pronounce judgments within 45 days of trial conclusion; courts must facilitate virtual appearances through the Nyaya-Shruti system.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023: Replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, establishing strict mandatory timelines for investigations, trials, and judgments to ensure a faster justice process.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: The primary substantive criminal law of India, replacing the Indian Penal Code to provide a modern, citizen-centric legal structure.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023: Replaces the Indian Evidence Act, modernizing the judicial process by facilitating the use of digital evidence, electronic summons, and virtual appearances.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The central government ministry responsible for the comprehensive review and implementation of India's new criminal justice laws.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs: The legislative body whose reports recommended a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system rather than piece-meal amendments.
Ministry of Home Affairs
SPEEDY JUSTICE PROCESS
प्रव तथ: 21 JUL 2026 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Law Commission of India in its various Reports had recommended section-specific amendments in
the criminal laws. Also, Committees like Bezbaruah Committee, Vishwanathan Committee, Malimath
Committee, Madhawa Menon Committee, etc. made recommendations for section-specific amendments in
the criminal laws and general reforms in criminal justice system.
The Department–related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 111th (2005), 128th
(2006) and 146th (2010) Reports, recommended for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice
System of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about
piece-meal amendments in respective Acts.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs had undertaken the comprehensive review of criminal laws i.e.
the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872
with a view to provide accessible and affordable justice to all and create a legal structure which is citizen
centric. The above three Acts have been repealed and replaced by three new laws namely, the Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and the Bharatiya
Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 respectively.
The details of provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 to ensure speedy justice 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.
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 Lok Sabha.
*****
RK/PR/PS/SC
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2287042) आगंतुक पटल : 745
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Assamese , Tamil