Higher convictions in cases after full implementation of new criminal laws: Home Minister Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses during the 79th Delhi Police Remembrance Day Parade in New Delhi, Monday, February 16, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

After the country’s three new penal laws are fully implemented, the conviction rate in criminal cases will go up to 80% in the coming years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday (Feb 16, 2026).

Addressing the 79th Raising Day Parade of the Delhi Police here, Mr. Shah also said that the fight against Maoist violence was in its final phase and assured that by March this year, the menace would be eradicated forever.

Mr Shah said the three new justice-based criminal laws are among the milestones the country has achieved in the past 11 years, which would help increase the speed of processing cases and convictions once they are fully implemented in the next few years.

The Home Minister was referring to three new penal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) – which replaced the IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act on 1 July 2024.

The home minister also launched various new initiatives of the Delhi Police, including an integrated command for the special cell and the first phase of the Safe City project.

The digital push for the criminal justice system aims for full rollout by next year

He said that under the first phase of the Safe City project, 2,100 out of 10,000 artificial intelligence CCTV cameras have been connected to the monitoring network. 15,000 already existing CCTV cameras have also been integrated into it, he said.

Mr. Shah lauded the Delhi Police and said it has been able to successfully deal with the challenges facing the national capital, which is the heart of the country’s democracy and a symbol of its honor and identity.

Published – February 16, 2026 12:09 PM IST