NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the new criminal laws, which came into effect from July 1, have ended the era of British laws in India, transforming the criminal justice system into one that is 'completely Swadeshi.'

The Union Minister emphasised that these laws align with the spirit of the constitution and, once fully implemented, will represent the most modern set of laws.

"I congratulate the people of India that about 77 years after independence, our criminal justice system is becoming completely 'Swadeshi'. This will function on Indian philosophy. After 75 years, these laws were considered upon and when these laws are in effect from today (July 1), colonial laws have been scrapped and laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice," he said.

The Union Minister further mentioned that many groups will benefit from the new criminal laws, which prioritise women and children.

"Instead of punishment, it is now justice. Instead of delay, there will be immediate trials and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the police were protected, but now, victims' and complainants' rights will be protected too," Shah said during a press conference.

“Now, instead of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there will be Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), instead of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), there will be Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), instead of the Indian Evidence Act, there will be Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), said the Home Minister.

"We have prioritised sections and chapters in accordance with the spirit of our Constitution, with the first priority given to crimes against women and children. I believe this should have been done much earlier," Shah remarked.

Rejecting the accusations of passing laws without adequate discussion in Parliament, Amit Shah stated, "No other law in the history of the country has been discussed in such detail in Parliament".

“We have registered the first case under the new criminal law in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. It involved a theft; someone's motorcycle was stolen. The case was registered at 12:10 am," said the Union Minister.