Background: Union Territory is the first in the country to implement three new laws in their entirety.
Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)
- New Criminal Laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaced the old Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act, and Criminal Procedure Code respectively.
- Chandigarh Implementation: First to fully implement the new laws, ramping up infrastructure with improved internet, new tablets for investigators, and videoconferencing for trials.
- Technology Use:
- “Chitra Khoji” facial recognition software.
- DigiLocker for storing crime scene videos.
- Mandatory audiovisual recording of crime scenes.
- Conviction Rate: Improved from 58% to around 85% since implementation. Over 11 lakh FIRs filed and judgments delivered in 9,500 cases nationwide.
- Zero FIRs: 14 Zero FIRs registered in Chandigarh, all related to sexual offenses against women.
- Digital Courts: Two courts fully online, with plans to digitize 30 more. Videoconferencing used for trials and witness depositions.
- Nationwide Rollout: States have five years to implement all aspects of the new laws.
