Chief Justice Chandrachud praises new criminal justice laws in India

Heralding the enactment of new criminal justice laws as a monumental moment for Indian society, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud emphasized the forthcoming significant overhaul of the country's criminal justice system. Addressing a conference titled 'India's Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System

,' he stressed the importance of effective implementation by those entrusted with enforcing the laws.

Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that the newly enacted laws signify a transformative shift in India's legal framework concerning criminal justice. He highlighted the introduction of essential reforms aimed at safeguarding the rights of victims and enhancing the efficiency of investigations and prosecutions.

"The enactment of these laws by Parliament underscores India's evolving dynamics and the pressing need for innovative legal mechanisms to address contemporary challenges," remarked the Chief Justice.

The conference, attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, reflects collaborative efforts in shaping the nation's legal landscape.

Scheduled to take effect from July 1, the newly enacted laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act — promise a comprehensive overhaul of the country's criminal justice system. However, the provision related to hit-and-run cases by vehicle drivers will not be immediately enforced.

These laws received parliamentary approval on December 21 of the previous year, followed by President Droupadi Murmu's assent on December 25, marking a significant milestone in India's legal evolution.

Referring to the 248th Report of the Standing Committee of the Rajya Sabha on the Bharatiya Sakshya Samhita, Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the challenges posed by technological advancements in crime and emphasized the need for the criminal justice system to adapt.

"The growing influence of technology and the emergence of new-age crimes leveraging digital platforms present investigative challenges, evidence admission issues, and complexities in justice delivery," he said.

Chief Justice Chandrachud praised the new laws for modernizing India's legal framework and introducing much-needed improvements to protect victim interests and enhance the investigation and prosecution of offenses.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding privacy rights amidst the digitization of legal proceedings and the creation of digital evidence, emphasizing the need for robust systems to prevent data breaches.

In addressing the challenges posed by data leaks in courts, Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed the importance of public confidence in securing citizens' privacy and called for investments in capacity building and infrastructure development to realize the full potential of the new laws.

He expressed optimism that the implementation of the new criminal laws would lead to constructive debates highlighting areas for improvement, guided by a justice-oriented approach that balances the interests of victims and the accused.