Average conviction time drops in UT during first year of new criminal laws

Marking a year since the implementation of the country’s new criminal laws, the Chandigarh Police have offered a detailed account of the changes seen across the city’s policing and justice delivery systems under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

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The data reflect a shift toward quicker resolution of cases. Between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 3,154 FIRs were registered under the new laws, nearly half of which were filed online. So far, 758 charge sheets have been submitted, and 71 convictions have been secured out of the 78 cases that have been decided, marking a conviction rate of over 91 per cent. The average time to conviction has reportedly reduced from 300 days to 110, an improvement attributed to better coordination and digital case management.

Chandigarh was among the first in the country to fully implement all three laws when they came into effect on July 1, 2024. More than 6,000 officers, including senior officials, station heads, and investigating officers, were trained in the new legal provisions. To build internal capacity, 29 officers completed specialised trainer programmes, enabling them to conduct further training within the force. Special attention was given to evidence handling, victim-sensitive procedures, and digital documentation.

The police have integrated the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) with the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), allowing for seamless sharing of case-related data with courts, prisons, forensic experts, and medical institutions. Applications such as Nyay Setu, eSakshya, Nyay Shruti, eSummon, and eProsecution have become a part of everyday policing. The use of eSakshya alone has resulted in over 2,600 instances of digital evidence being stored with time stamps, geo-tagging, and secured hash values, offering tamper-proof documentation in criminal cases.

Artificial intelligence tools are now assisting officers in identifying suspects and tracking patterns. CCTNS Khoji, for instance, allows AI-driven analysis of suspect records and offers facial and fingerprint recognition, which is integrated with national databases. The use of MedLEaPR has helped in expediting the process of medical legal reports, with over 11,000 requests filed digitally in the past year. To support time-sensitive investigations, forensic teams have been placed on 24/7 standby, especially in cases where punishment exceeds seven years.

Forensic experts hired through NFSU and digital specialists recruited via NICSI have been deployed to strengthen technical capabilities. A QR code-based forensic evidence tracking system has been introduced to ensure secure and transparent handling of case materials from collection to trial.

Over 1,000 public programmes were conducted to inform citizens about their rights, protections, and reporting mechanisms under the new laws. More than 25,000 residents have participated in these sessions, and around 60,000 pamphlets have been distributed in Hindi, English, and Punjabi.

Officials pointed out that clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities, particularly for investigating officers and prosecution teams, have led to greater accountability and efficiency. The legal backing for use of digital evidence and forensic tools has enabled a professional and verifiable process. They said the results of the first year indicated better coordination, faster justice delivery, and growing public confidence in the legal system.