Union Home Minister Amit Shah Chairs Meeting with Goa CM Pramod Sawant to Review Implementation of New Criminal Laws.
New Delhi:
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today chaired a crucial meeting in New Delhi with the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, to review the implementation of three new criminal laws introduced in the state. The review focused on the current status and progress of provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics under the new laws.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Goa’s Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police of Goa, as well as senior representatives from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Amit Shah outlined the primary objective of these three new criminal laws, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that they were designed to ensure swift justice. He stressed that Goa should aim to become a model state in the effective implementation of these laws, setting a benchmark for the entire country.
The Home Minister highlighted the importance of adhering to strict timelines in criminal investigations and prosecutions, asserting that this was essential for ensuring justice is delivered in a timely manner. In particular, he directed that Goa should work toward achieving a 90% conviction rate in criminal cases that carry penalties of more than seven years. This ambitious target aims to boost the effectiveness of the judicial system in the state.
Further stressing the importance of technological integration, Amit Shah directed that all Investigation Officers (IOs) in Goa be mandatorily registered on the e-Sakshya platform. He also mandated the full implementation of e-Summons by March 31, 2025, to streamline the judicial process and enhance efficiency.
The Home Minister underscored the need for senior police officers to regularly monitor high-priority cases, such as those related to organized crime, terrorism, and mob lynching, to ensure that the provisions of the new laws are not misused. He also specified that permission from a Superintendent of Police-level officer should be sought before registering cases under these serious provisions.
In addition, Amit Shah emphasized the importance of returning property recovered from criminals to its rightful owners in accordance with the provisions outlined in the new criminal laws. He also urged the authorities to ensure 100% forensic sample testing, making this a priority for effective case resolution.
In closing, the Union Home Minister urged the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police of Goa to continue reviewing the progress of the implementation of these laws and ensure they are fully enforced across the state.
The implementation of these new laws is a significant step towards strengthening the criminal justice system in Goa, and the state’s commitment to achieving the targets set by Amit Shah will play a pivotal role in delivering swift and fair justice for all citizens.
About the New Criminal Laws: The three new criminal laws introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi focus on streamlining police investigations, improving forensic capabilities, ensuring swift justice through the judicial system, and strengthening various provisions related to prosecution and crime management. The goal is to make the justice system more effective and responsive, with a focus on high-priority cases involving serious offenses.
