‘Days of ‘tarikh pe tarikh’ are over’: PM Modi pledges swift justice with new criminal laws

Chandigarh first to fully implement new criminal laws

- SWATI MAHAJAN

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized the importance of delivering timely justice, marking the successful implementation of three new criminal laws that aim to revolutionize India's judicial system. Speaking at a dedicated event with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Modi declared that the days of "tarikh pe tarikh"—the repeated adjournments in court—are a thing of the past, a reference to the famous line from the Bollywood film "Damini," symbolizing the culture of delayed trials.

Chandigarh has become the first administrative unit in India to fully implement the new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws, effective since July 1, replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that the laws protect citizens' rights and ease justice, marking a significant step towards fulfilling constitutional ideals as India celebrates 75 years since adopting the Constitution and progresses towards "Viksit Bharat."

Modi underlined that the newly introduced criminal laws are built on the principles of equality, harmony, and social justice.