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Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
How Haryana leads the way in implementing new criminal laws
Written by Dr Sumita Misra India has a long and proud tradition of justice delivery, with roots stretching back to ancient epics and empires. From the legal frameworks outlined in the Mahabharata to the administrative systems of the Mauryan period, the Indian ethos has long been built around fairness, order, and the protection of rights. Today, as India undertakes one of its most significant legal overhauls since independence, Haryana—land of the Mahabharata—has once again taken the lead in shaping the next chapter of Indian jurisprudence. With the nationwide enforcement of three transformative criminal laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—from July 1, 2024, Haryana has emerged as the national frontrunner in comprehensive, on-ground implementation. These laws replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, ushering in a justice system that is not only modern and egalitarian but also steeped in Bharatiya values. Under the decisive leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana began early and acted decisively. A full-fledged transition plan was developed across all districts, combining administrative foresight with technological readiness. The state's proactive approach included: – Massive training programmes for police, prosecutors, and judicial officers – Workshops at the district level in partnership with academic institutions – Deployment of eSign tools, Aadhaar-authenticated workflows, and real-time crime documentation systems This robust preparedness ensured that Haryana was not just compliant with the new laws but ready to operationalize them in spirit and substance. The new criminal laws are designed to enable speedy, scientific, and tech-enabled justice delivery. Haryana has translated these principles into action through multiple pioneering initiatives: – Mandatory day-to-day hearings under Section 346 of BNSS – Introduction of 'block dates' to minimize adjournments in serious cases – Auto-FIR registration in vehicle thefts and Aadhaar-verified witness statements – Widespread use of video conferencing, with over 78% of undertrial peshis (court appearances) now held virtually – Creation of 2,117 designated spaces across districts for witness examination via electronic means—including government offices, banks, and special rooms for women and vulnerable witnesses Such measures have not only improved efficiency but also enhanced access to justice—especially for victims, witnesses, and marginalized groups. Haryana has also led the way in forensic and medico-legal modernization: – MedLEaPR (Medical Legal Examination and Post Mortem Reporting) has been used statewide for over a decade and is now being emulated by other states. Integrated with CCTNS, it ensures electronic submission of medico-legal reports within seven days, enabling over 90% of cases to be resolved within a week. – The TraKea Forensic Case Management System, now fully operational, streamlines evidence handling and ensures accountability and transparency in forensics. At the heart of this new legal regime is a commitment to victim-centric justice. Haryana's Witness Protection Scheme, 2025, notified in February this year, offers a graded protection system based on real-time threat perception: – Categorization of witnesses into A, B, and C levels – Measures such as no face-to-face encounters with the accused, relocation, identity changes, and monitoring of communications This framework ensures that victims and witnesses are shielded from intimidation and can participate in the legal process without fear. Haryana has prioritized gender-sensitive justice through: – Fast Track Special Courts under the POCSO Act in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula – Specialized police training and outreach campaigns to support victims – Aggressive monitoring under the Chinhit Apradh initiative, under which 1,683 heinous crimes have been fast-tracked Conviction rates have climbed in response, with some districts like Faridabad, Dabwali, and Karnal recording over 95% conviction in Chinhit Apradh cases. As of April 30, 2025, 1,764 cases have been decided under the BNS, with a conviction rate of 77.15%. From July 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, 2,038 cases were completed, resulting in 1,540 convictions. Districts like Kurukshetra (75%), Sirsa (78.57%), and Rewari (85%) are also setting benchmarks. The BNS and BNSS have introduced crucial timelines, including time-bound framing of charges, addressing the long-standing issue of delayed trials. This is already showing visible results. A rape and murder trial of a minor girl concluded in 140 days in Yamunanagar, resulting in a death sentence—with the victim's father publicly thanking the justice system for swift redress New powers, new accountability Under Section 356 of the BNSS, courts can now conduct trials in absentia, allowing them to proceed against proclaimed offenders. Haryana has already identified 193 such cases, and four have been tried under the new provision. The Directorate of Prosecution, now statutorily empowered to monitor these cases under Section 20(7) of BNSS, ensures rigorous oversight. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and through Haryana's on-ground execution, India's legal system is undergoing a transformation that is transparent, time-bound, and tech-forward. With its deep commitment to victim rights, judicial efficiency, and digital innovation, Haryana is not only implementing the BNS-BNSS-BSA triad effectively but is also providing a blueprint for other states. As the nation marches towards Viksit Bharat 2047, Haryana's journey stands as a testament to what visionary governance and resolute execution can achieve. In this new era of justice, the state's leadership ensures that laws are not just written on paper but come alive in courtrooms, police stations, and citizens' lives—delivering the Nyaya India has long awaited. (The author is Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation & Administration of Justice Departments, Government of Haryana)
United News of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Mobile internet services in Nuh to curb misinformation
Chandigarh, July 14 (UNI) The Haryana Government has suspended mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the jurisdiction of Nuh district. The suspension is effective from 9 pm on July 13, 2025, to 9 pm on July 14, 2025. An official spokesperson shared that Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, issued the order to this effect. The spokesperson stated that mobile internet services have been suspended to maintain law and order and prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter on mobile phones and via SMS. The order has been issued while taking utmost care to ensure public convenience. Exemptions have been provided for individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, voice calls, and internet services delivered through broadband and leased lines in both corporate and domestic settings. These measures ensure that the commercial and financial interests of the state, as well as the basic domestic needs of individuals, remain unaffected. All telecom service providers operating in Haryana have been directed to ensure compliance with the order. Any individual found violating the order will face legal action under the relevant provisions of law, the spokesperson added. Adequate police arrangements have been made to maintain law and order in the Nuh district. Additionally, all community groups have been urged to cooperate with the administration. UNI XC RKM
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mobile Internet services suspended in Haryana's Nuh for 24 hours ahead of Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra
The Haryana government on Sunday (July 13, 2025) ordered the suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS and dongle services in Nuh for 24 hours in view of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra on Monday (July 14, 2025). The services will remain suspended till 9 p.m. on Monday (July 14, 2025). Firecrackers, drones, light aircraft, kite flying and meat shops along the procession route have also been banned. Also Read | Haryana communal violence: In the shadow of the millennium city '...there is apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the district Nuh. I, Home Secretary, Haryana, do hereby order the suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the jurisdiction of district Nuh of Haryana State,' reads the order by Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Sumita Misra. In 2023, six people were killed and several others injured in the communal clashes that broke out in parts of southern Haryana after the pilgrims were attacked in Meo Muslim-dominated Nuh during the procession. Also Read | He saved three men from the mob in Nuh. Six days later, a bulldozer came visiting The procession, held on the first Monday of Shravan month every year, begins with the offering of holy water at a temple in Nalhar before it culminates at Shringeshwar Temple in Punhana, passing through Jhir temple in Firozpur Jhirka. To prevent any untoward incidents, the district administration has banned carrying of any weapons, including licensed weapons, firearms, swords, sticks, tridents, rods, knives and chains. However, the sheathed kirpan worn by the Sikhs as a religious symbol has been exempted. Also, the use of loudspeakers, sound amplifying devices, which are religiously provocative, insensitive or hurt the sentiments of a particular community, is banned. Also Read | Nuh Jalabhishek Yatra curtailed; 40-odd VHP leaders, local workers and saints offer prayers at temples Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said that 24 duty magistrates were appointed to ensure maintenance of law and order during the procession and 12 duty magistrates were in reserve. Firecrackers, drones, light aircraft, kite flying and meat shops along the procession route have been banned under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code 2023. Apart from this, arrangements for ambulances have also been made and revenue officials, gram secretaries and sarpanches have been assigned duty in the villages to ensure mutual co-ordination. The pilgrims will assemble at Shri Radha Krishna Mandir in Gurugram's Sector 10A on Monday (July 14, 2025) and reach Nuh passing through Hero Honda Chowk flyover.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Haryana: Mobile internet suspended in Nuh ahead of Abhishek Yatra
Citing concerns over the possibility of public unrest during Abhishek Yatra on Monday, the Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Nuh district for 24 hours effective from 9 pm Sunday. The order was issued by the Home Department under the authority of Additional Chief Secretary Sumita Misra. The move appears to have come all of a sudden as Nuh Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, on Wednesday, had told The Indian Express that there is no plan for any internet ban. However, on Sunday night, Meena said that after a meeting with all stakeholders in the evening it was decided that mobile internet will be suspended in the district. 'All preparations are in place. Cutting across party, community and religious lines there will be people at 41 welcome points for the yatris… I personally reviewed the preparations today too and the yatra will be conducted peacefully and smoothly'. The order states that the ban is aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation and maintaining law and order in the district. It has been issued under Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and Rule 3 of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024. The suspension covers mobile internet services (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, CDMA, GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services on mobile networks. Voice calls, individual SMS, banking SMS, mobile recharge services, internet services provided through broadband and lease lines for corporate and domestic households will remain unaffected.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
90% summons served via online in Haryana, says secretary
Gurgaon: In Haryana, 90% of summons are now issued electronically, and 100% of searches and seizures by police during investigations are recorded digitally. Around 68% of witness and complainant statements are being captured using the eSakshya mobile application, standardising evidence collection and improving transparency across investigations. Under the new criminal laws, witness examination has now extended beyond traditional courtrooms, as witnesses can now be examined at "designated places" which include govt offices, banks, and other such places. A total of 2,117 designated places have been set up for witness via audio/video electronic means across all districts, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Additional chief secretary (home) Sumita Misra said the state's digital policing leap is anchored by the full-scale implementation of platforms like eSummon and eSakshya. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon "Over 91% of summonses are now issued electronically, while 100% of searches and seizures are digitally recorded. Notably, 67.5% of witness and complainant statements are being captured using the eSakshya mobile application, standardising evidence collection and improving transparency across investigations," said Mishra. To expedite the trial in cases of crime against children and ensure swift justice, fast track special courts under the Pocso Act have been set up in Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Panchkula, she said, adding, "This will ensure swift trials in heinous crimes against women and children." During her visit to an exhibition on the three new criminals laws at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Misra said the backbone of Haryana's reforms is a massive capacity-building initiative that has trained over 54,000 police personnel in the nuanced provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. The training emphasized not only legal understanding but also victim-sensitive investigation, digital integration, and modern evidence handling. In parallel, over 37,800 officers have been onboarded onto the iGOT Karmayogi platform, promoting continuous, self-paced legal education, one of the most extensive digital skilling drives among state police forces, she added. "Haryana has made tremendous and exemplary progress in this direction, and 2,117 designated places have been set up for witness examination via audio/video electronic means across all districts, thereby significantly enhancing accessibility and convenience," Misra added. Also, the state has expanded its forensic infrastructure, with mobile vans deployed in every district and two in larger districts. A Rs 68.70 crore investment has enabled the procurement of modern cyber forensic tools. The govt has approved 208 new forensic posts, with 186 vacancies already filled, further strengthening investigative depth.
