Criminal cases to be resolved within three years under new code: Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed confidence that India's revamped criminal justice system would significantly accelerate case disposal once the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) achieves full implementation across the country. According to Shah, the entire journey of a criminal case—from the filing of an FIR through to Supreme Court proceedings—would be completed within a three-year timeframe under the new code.

Shah, who also oversees the Cooperation Ministry, acknowledged that India's criminal justice system had historically suffered from protracted delays that undermined public confidence. He attributed the turnaround to structural and procedural improvements introduced through the new legislation, which replaces the outdated Indian Penal Code.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which was passed by Parliament in 2023, is designed to streamline criminal proceedings and reduce case backlogs that have long plagued Indian courts. The implementation of the new code represents one of the most significant overhauls to India's criminal legal framework in decades, with provisions aimed at expediting investigations, trials, and appeals.

The minister's statement comes as Indian courts continue grappling with substantial case backlogs. By introducing the BNS alongside complementary procedural reforms, the government has signaled its commitment to delivering swifter justice. The three-year timeline, if achieved, would mark a substantial improvement from current average disposal periods for criminal cases in Indian courts.