Amit Shah Inaugurates Criminal Law Exhibition, Launches ₹900 Cr Projects in Haryana

Speaking at the event, Shri Shah announced that the Nayab Singh Saini government had inaugurated four projects worth nearly ₹900 crore and laid the foundation stone for eight new projects.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated a state-level exhibition on India’s new criminal laws in Kurukshetra, Haryana, while also dedicating and laying the foundation stone for a series of development projects of the Haryana government.

The event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan, and several senior officials. It marked a dual focus on legal reforms and development initiatives in Haryana, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparent governance and a self-reliant future.

₹900 Crore Development Projects

Speaking at the event, Shri Shah announced that the Nayab Singh Saini government had inaugurated four projects worth nearly ₹900 crore and laid the foundation stone for eight new projects. He credited the people of Haryana for giving the BJP-led government a majority for three consecutive terms, noting that this continuity has enabled sustained, inclusive, and merit-based governance.

“In a state once infamous for favoritism in jobs, today employment is provided solely on the basis of **merit—without kharchi (bribery) or parchi (nepotism). This is a historic achievement of our government,” he said.

New Criminal Laws: Justice-Oriented, Citizen-Centric

The highlight of the event was a grand exhibition on India’s three new criminal laws, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, replacing colonial-era statutes.

Shri Shah emphasized that while India gained political independence in 1947, it remained bound for decades by laws enacted by the British Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has ended that era, ushering in a Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita rooted in justice, dignity, and citizen-first principles.

Key features of the reform:

• Justice over punishment: Protecting constitutional rights of even the poorest citizens.

• Timelines introduced: For police, judiciary, and prosecution to speed up justice.

• Newly defined crimes: Terrorism, organized crime, mob lynching, and Trial in Absentia for fugitives.

• Digital-first policing: E-FIR, Zero FIR, online interlinking of police, jails, judiciary, prosecution, and forensics.

• Women and child protection: Separate chapters included for their safety and rights.

• Scientific investigations: Mandatory videography of seizures, digital chain of custody, and compulsory forensic investigation for offenses with 7+ years’ punishment.

Shri Shah projected that by 2026, every FIR will be resolved within three years, compared to decades-long delays under colonial laws.

Rising Conviction Rates and Efficiency

The Home Minister highlighted that Haryana’s conviction rate, once around 40%, has now doubled to over 80% with the adoption of the new laws. Nationally, within a year of implementation:

• 53% of FIRs had charge-sheets filed within 60 days,

• 65% within 90 days,

• In Haryana, the rate was even higher, at 71% (60 days) and 83% (90 days).

He added that the Union Home Ministry has trained:

• 14.8 lakh police personnel,

• 42,000 jail officers,

• 19,000 court staff, and

• 11,000 prosecutors under an intensive nationwide programme to ensure smooth implementation.

Self-Reliance and Vision 2047

Beyond criminal law reforms, Shri Shah tied the discussion to India’s broader self-reliance mission under Prime Minister Modi. He said that if 140 crore Indians commit to purchasing Indian-made products, India will become the largest consumer market in the world and the economy will achieve global leadership.

“By 2047, on the centenary of independence, India will be at the forefront in every field. The road to this lies through self-reliance and indigenization. Producing within the country and buying domestic goods is the key to India’s rise,” he said.

He urged citizens, especially the people of Haryana, to pledge this Diwali to purchase only indigenous products, aligning with the Prime Minister’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

A Turning Point in Governance

Shri Shah concluded that the new laws, combined with India’s push for self-reliance, represent the biggest reform of the 21st century. From merit-based governance to citizen-first justice, the government aims to reshape India’s democratic, legal, and economic institutions to meet the aspirations of a developed India by 2047.