New Criminal Laws Streamline Judicial Process Across India

The new criminal laws under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, aim to expedite the judicial process, ensure timely justice, and enhance transparency across India. Key provisions include strict timelines for crucial stages such as preliminary enquiry (14 days), investigation (90 days), framing of charges (60 days), trial judgment (45 days), and filing of mercy petitions (30–60 days). Fast-track investigations prioritize offences against women and children, with completion within two months. Adjournments are limited to two per case to prevent delays. Digital initiatives like e-Summons, e-Sakshya, and Nyaya-Shruti (VC) facilitate electronic delivery of summons, tamper-proof digital evidence submission, and virtual appearances for accused, witnesses, and officials, enhancing efficiency and reducing procedural delays. From July 2024 to November 2025, over 51 lakh cases were registered across States and UTs under these provisions, reflecting widespread adoption of the new framework. The reforms collectively strengthen India’s legal system by balancing speed, fairness, and technological efficiency in criminal justice delivery.

Ministry of Home Affairs

NEW CRIMINAL LAWS FOR SPEEDY JUDICIARY PROCESS

Posted On: 10 DEC 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi

Details of provisions made in new criminal laws for expediting judicial process are as follows:-

i. Faster and Fair Resolution: The new laws promise a faster and fair resolution of cases, instilling confidence in the legal system. Crucial stages of investigation and trial like – preliminary enquiry (to be completed in 14 days), further investigation (to be completed in 90 days), supply of document to the victim and accused (within 14 days),

commitment of a case for trial (within 90 days), filing of discharge applications (within 60 days), framing of charges (within 60 days), pronouncement of judgment (within 45 days) and filing of mercy petitions (30 days before Governor and 60 days before President) – have been streamlined and to be completed within stipulated time period.

ii. Fast-Track Investigations: The new laws prioritize the investigations for offences against women and children, ensuring timely completion within two months of recording information.

iii. Adjournments: Provision of a maximum of two adjournments to avoid unnecessary delays in case hearings, ensuring timely justice delivery.

iv. To significantly improve the speed, efficiency and transparency of the judicial process, applications like e-Summons, e-Sakshya and Nyaya- Shruti (VC) have been developed. The e-Summon facilitates delivery of summons through electronic means. The e-Sakshya enables lawful, scientific and tamper-proof collection, preservation and electronic submission  of digital  evidence  thus  ensuring  authenticity  and

reducing delays. Nyaya-Shruti (VC) facilitates virtual appearance of accused persons, witnesses, police officials, prosecutors, scientific experts, prisoners etc. through video conferencing.

State-wise data on the number of cases registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 are given at Annexure.

****

Annexure

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

***