Digital Justice System Implementation Details

Exam-Focused Notes on Criminal Justice System Reforms in India

1. Legislative Reforms:

• New Criminal Laws:
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS)
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
• Predecessors: These laws replace the Indian Penal Code (1860), Indian Evidence Act (1872), and the Code of Criminal Procedure (1898).
• Implementation Timeline:
  • Effective from July 1, 2024.
  • Full rollout of the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) by January 1, 2027.

2. Digital Record Keeping:

• ICJS Launch:
  • Aims for integrated digital workflows across police, courts, and forensic services.
  • All records stored on MeghRaj cloud platform.
• FIR Processing: As per National Crime Records Bureau data, electronic FIR consumption stood at 46%.

3. Case Filing Statistics:

• Total FIRs Under New Laws: 74.66 lakh FIRs.
• Zero-FIRs: 63,572 registered; allows filing irrespective of jurisdiction.

4. Forensic Developments:

• Mandatory Forensic Examination: Required for crimes with a minimum punishment of seven years.
• Forensic Laboratories: Increased from 129 in 2023 to 154 by 2025 with 25 new labs.
• Case Load:
  • 2023: 8,44,589 cases received, 4,64,879 pending.
  • 2025: 11,11,798 cases received, 3,90,786 pending.
• Mobile Forensic Units: Over 700 deployed.

5. Performance Metrics:

• Implementation Scores: Improved from 46.47% (Jan 2025) to 70.06% (June 2026).
• Charge-Sheet Compliance:
  • 60-day compliance rose from 51% to 67%.
  • 90-day compliance rose from 40% to 61%.
• Digital Evidence: 46.5 lakh digital evidence (Sakshya) IDs generated.
• E-Summons Issued: Total of 56.74 lakh e-summons served.

6. Record Accessibility:

• Current Police Records: 37.68 crore records, including 9.9 crore FIRs and 7.64 crore chargesheets, accessible by law enforcement.

7. Challenges:

• Connectivity Issues: Especially prevalent in remote and northeastern states impacting implementation.
• Standardization Needs: Processes must be standardized across states for effective interoperability.
• Training Requirements: Essential for personnel to navigate the updated systems effectively.

8. Significance:

• This comprehensive reform aims to modernize the criminal justice system, enhance transparency, speed up processes, ensure better accessibility, and improve forensic capabilities across India.

These notes encapsulate the milestones, statistics, and operational strategies related to the criminal justice reform in India, which are critical for understanding the current phase of legal evolution in the country.