Leveraging Cutting-Edge Technology, A Firm Commitment To Propel India's Criminal Justice System To Be The Most Advanced In The World: Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah

• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, over 50 groundbreaking decisions have been made across various fields in the past decade

• India's criminal justice system embarks on a new era: Modernization of 150-year-old criminal laws of British-era

• Forensic Science University centres will be established in nine states across the country in the near future

• Law enforcement must remain not just two steps, but two generations ahead of criminals.

• The information of criminals, child traffickers, and terrorist organizations will now be digitized, and thorough analysis with integrated data will be conducted using AI. The involvement of NFSU students will play a crucial role in this process.

India's security will significantly increase as scientists maximize the use of technology: Shri Rushikesh Patel, Minister of Law and Justice

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurates a three-day international conference on 'Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics' and 'Behavioral Forensics' at NFSU-Gandhinagar : Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home remains present

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurates the '5th International and 44th All India Criminology Conference and State-of-the-Art Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah declared a resolute commitment to modernize India's criminal justice system through technology, aiming to establish it as the most advanced globally in crime control and detection. This ambitious initiative, geared towards the world's largest democratic country, is scheduled for completion within the next five years.

Inaugurating the three-day National Forensic Science conference in Gandhinagar, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, over 50 transformative decisions have been made across various fields in the last decade. He stated that Indian criminal justice has entered a new era, shedding the 150-year-old British-era laws such as I.P.C., C.R. P.C., and the Evidence Act. New laws have been enacted to not only prevent future crimes but also to improve penalties. This legislative overhaul is expected to not only deter criminals but also expedite crime investigations through forensics, leading to a significant increase in conviction rates.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated a three-day international conference on the 'Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics' and 'Behavioral Forensics' at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar today. Minister of State for Home Shri Harsh Sanghvi remains present for this special occasion. Additionally, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the '5th International and 44th All India Criminology Conference' and the State-of-the-Art Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah expressed that the Central Government has implemented a new education policy, aligning it with the global standard while rooted in the Indian education system. In the realm of crime investigations, a groundbreaking decision has been made to enhance the role of forensic science in investigations, integrating it into the overall crime investigation process. This historic move is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the near future, with over 9,000 students expected to secure employment in the field of forensic science annually within the next five years.

The Union Home Minister mentioned that the then Chief Minister and the current Prime Minister of the country, Shri Narendra Modi, established the Forensic Sciences University in Gujarat in 2003. In 2020, it attained the status of the National Forensic Sciences University and has since flourished significantly. The National Forensic Science University currently operates in nine locations across the country, including one in Uganda. Also, new centres are set to be operational in nine states in future.

The Home Minister said that in the Amrit Kaal of Azadi, we face four distinct challenges: the fusion of modern policing with technology, employing technology to counter hybrid and multi-dimensional threats, and establishing a globalized system of criminal justice that ensures swift justice for everyone. To achieve this, it is imperative to harness technology to its fullest potential. Referring to Shri Kanhaiyalal Munshi's words, who once stated that the police should be two steps ahead of criminals, the Union Home Minister noted that today the police have to stay two generations ahead of criminals to effectively prevent crime. He highlighted the importance of everyone contributing to the country's progress through the judicious use of technology.

The Union Home Minister highlighted the replacement of the 150-year-old British-era laws, namely the I.P.C., C.R.P.C, and the Evidence Act. Three new laws—namely Bhartiya Nagrik Surksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill —have been enacted to prioritize justice for citizens rather than punishment. These laws specifically target the prevention of crimes against women and children, with provisions designed to accommodate technological advancements over the next century. The strategic use of technology aims to fortify the justice system, leading to the resolution of pending FIRs within three years. E-Gawahi (E-witnesses) have significantly expedited the resolution process. These laws leverage forensic science extensively, offering numerous innovative opportunities in this field. Moreover, data integration facilitated by AI is underway, with approximately eight crore FIRs currently registered online across the country.

All police stations, except those in hilly areas, are now connected online. The data about criminals, child traffickers, and terrorist organizations has been digitized and is accessible online. To achieve this, dedicated software will be developed, and the data will be thoroughly analyzed with the assistance of AI. The implementation of this system is slated for the next three years. The creation of new software adhering to the principle of one data entry per record is also in the pipeline, and NFSU students are anticipated to play a pivotal role in this endeavour.

Expressing confidence, the Minister emphasized that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is unwavering in his determination to propel India to the forefront across all domains. Additionally, the Union Home Minister wished the students to engage in further research endeavours, contributing to the global recognition of NFSU as the premier institution in its field.

Shri Rushikesh Patel, the Minister of State for Law and Justice, appreciated the establishment of the "Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics" and the "Behavioral Forensics Conference." The Minister emphasized that this conference holds significant importance in enhancing the protection of people, especially in today's technology-driven era, where criminals can commit crimes from any corner of the world.

The Minister mentioned that under the leadership of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, India's internal security has been fortified, by utilizing technology, especially in the field of cybersecurity. A notable example of this is the successful prevention of an undesirable incident during the inauguration of the Ram Mandir. Given the widespread use of cyber technology globally, he expressed that the brainstorming among experts at this conference would make criminals more aware of potential crimes. Additionally, efforts will be directed toward enhancing the conviction rate through technology. The minister further emphasized that the conference aims to unite behavioural science with forensic science, creating a deterrent effect on potential criminals. He urged technology experts and scientists to collaborate, striving to make India increasingly safe by complementing each other's efforts.

Justice and NHRC Chairman, Shri Arun Kumar Mishra, highlighted the crucial role of forensic science and behavioural forensics in safeguarding human rights. He expressed the significance of today's Behavioral Conference, particularly in studying DNA to prevent crimes. He emphasised the necessity of conducting research for the rehabilitation of criminals involved in various offenses, facilitating their reintegration into society. The chairman said that the recently enacted laws in India, geared towards global welfare, will ensure justice and rights for all.

Dr. Purvi Pokhariyal, Chairman of the Indian Society of Criminologists, provided details about the three-day conference in her welcome address. The 5th International and 44th National Conference, organized by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), the Indian Society of Criminology, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) focused on the theme "Behavioral Forensics - Reintegrating Expanding Counters of Criminology and Criminalistics." Over 600 delegates participated and exchanged ideas during the event.

The Union Home Minister released the Journal of Criminal Criminology and Criminalistics, and two volumes of articles, showcasing the work of Dr. J.M. Vyas during his 50-year journey as NFSU Chancellor. Dr. J.M. Vyas was honoured with a certificate for his exemplary service.

Union Home Secretary, Shri Ajay Bhalla, and Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Shri Priyank Kanungo, along with judges, legal officers, police officers, criminologists, scholars, and officials from various government agencies across the country were present at the occasion.

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