From outdated colonial codes to digital justice delivery, Chandigarh proves reform isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. It became the first Union Territory to fully operationalise these reforms.
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CHANDIGARH: In a landmark move to revamp India’s colonial-era legal system, Chandigarh has emerged as a beacon of transformation. With a remarkable 91.1% conviction rate under the three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), the Union Territory is setting the tone for nationwide legal reform.
These legislations officially replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act from July 1, 2024.
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In a historic shift from colonial-era legal frameworks, India implemented three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), from July 1, 2024.
The UT became the first Union Territory to fully operationalise these reforms, emerging as a model of efficient, technology-driven justice delivery. With a 91.1% conviction rate and faster case resolution, the city is setting a national precedent for modern criminal justice administration.
Chandigarh was the first in the country to fully operationalise the new legal codes, and its efforts are already showing promising results. According to data reported by The Tribune, the Union Territory secured convictions in 71 out of 78 cases decided within a year.
What’s more striking is the drastic reduction in conviction timelines, from an average of 300 days under the old system to just 110 days now. This acceleration reflects the system’s shift toward efficiency, transparency, and technological integration.
The reform push has received strong backing from top leadership. Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled four digital platforms aimed at modernising the criminal justice system, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Chandigarh’s pioneering implementation in December 2024.
As of June 29, 2025, a total of 3,154 FIRs had been registered under the new criminal law regime. Impressively, 1,459 of these were e-FIRs, showing the increasing use of digital platforms for citizen convenience. 758 chargesheets have already been filed, indicating improved procedural efficiency.
A cornerstone of this success is the incorporation of forensic science and digital tools. The e-Sakshya platform ensures robust evidence management by storing geo-tagged and hash-coded photo and video materials. This not only guarantees transparency but also prevents evidence tampering by directly syncing files with FIRs.
Law enforcement agencies of the UT have embraced the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) through the Nyay Setu platform, enabling seamless data access and coordination across departments.
To support scientific investigations, the Chandigarh Police deployed five specialised Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) crime scene units, with an additional standby unit to maintain a 24–hour response capability. The task force includes:
- 22 IT experts
- 68 Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) specialists
- 14 forensic analysts from the National Forensic Sciences University
Another key element of the reform is capacity building. Police personnel, including Station House Officers (SHOs), Investigating Officers (IOs), and technical staff, underwent intensive training through the iGOT Karmayogi portal. They also received field-level application training to ensure smooth execution of the new laws.
New Criminal Laws
The three new criminal laws namely, BNS,BNSS AND BSA has replaced three old criminal laws on 1 July 2024. These old criminal laws were repealed by the legal implication of the new laws in force.
India’s criminal justice system faced issues like outdated laws, trial delays, and overcrowded prisons. To address these, three new laws were introduced, i.e., BNS, BNSS and BSA, replacing the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaces the Indian Penal Code with updated provisions to address modern legal challenges.
It introduces community service as a new form of punishment for minor offences, promotes restorative justice, and updates legal terminology, replacing ‘minor’ with ‘child’ and including transgender under ‘gender’.
The law specifically criminalizes mob lynching by five or more persons based on identity factors like caste or religion. It dedicates a full chapter to crimes against women and children, acknowledging their vulnerability and the need for focused protection.
Notably, the BNS also incorporates organized crime and terrorism within its scope, previously covered mainly under special laws allowing authorities to proceed under BNS or laws like UAPA depending on the case.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, replacing the CrPC, introduces key procedural reforms with a citizen-centric focus.
It enforces time-bound processes by setting strict timelines and limiting adjournments to two, aiming for quicker and more efficient traials.
To ensure uniformity in the court structure, it removes designations like Metropolitan Magistrate and Assistant Sessions Judge, streamlining the judicial hierarchy across India.
Recognizing medical and forensic advancements, the BNSS mandates forensic team visits in cases where punishment exceeds seaven years.
Embracing the digital era, it allows electronic service of summons and examination of accused persons via digital platforms, modernizing criminal procedures for greater accessibility and speed.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 replaces the 1872 Indian Evidence Act, updating evidence laws for the digital age.
As an adjective law, it guides how other laws are enforced through evidence rules. The BSA broadens the definition of documents to include digital formats like emails and pen drives, making them admissible as primary evidence under Section 57.
It also expands secondary evidence to include oral and written admissions, strengthening the scope and relevance of evidence in court.
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