Chandigarh Leads Nation With 91% Conviction Rate Under New Criminal Laws

Marking a significant milestone, Chandigarh has become the first city in India to fully implement three revolutionary criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.

These laws replaced outdated British-era legislation, including the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act.

The results are impressive: in just one year, Chandigarh Police have achieved an unprecedented 91% conviction rate.

This success story began on July 1 last year, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the city’s achievement in December 2024.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah launched digital platforms to modernise India’s criminal justice system, paving the way for this groundbreaking reform.

Chandigarh Police Chief Kanwardeep Kaur Reveals Success Story of New Criminal Laws. In a remarkable turnaround, Chandigarh Police have achieved a 91.1% conviction rate under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) laws.

Out of 78 decided cases, convictions were secured in 71, with an average conviction time of just 109 days.

Chargesheets filed for 758 cases

Since the implementation of the new laws, the UT police have registered 3,154 FIRs, including 1,459 e-FIRs. Chargesheets have been filled in 758 cases, with the average conviction time reduced significantly from 300 days to 110 days.

According to SSP Kaur, the new regime has introduced several game-changing features.

For instance, officers now record videography and photography of search and seizure of case property through the e-Sakashya application and sync it with FIRs, providing digital evidence to prove cases.

The e-Sakshya application also boasts cloud storage of evidence, complete with hash value and geo-tagging, preventing tampering or manipulation.

This cutting-edge technology has been instrumental in achieving the impressive conviction rate.

Chandigarh Police Boosts Forensic Capabilities and Tech Infrastructure

To ensure timely and efficient crime scene investigation, Chandigarh Police has set up five CFSL crime teams, including one standby team, to provide 24/7 coverage for cases involving imprisonment of over 7 years.

Police bolsters forensic capabilities

The police have also strengthened their forensic capabilities by hiring 14 forensic analysts from the National Forensic Sciences University.

Additionally, 68 CFSL experts and 22 IT specialists have been recruited to conduct scientific analysis.

According to SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, the use of technology has been instrumental in streamlining their processes.

“We’re using QR codes on seized property and documenting messenger details to maintain the chain of custody,” she explained.

The e-Sakshya data is also instantly accessible to courts, she added.

The police are leveraging electronic evidence, forensic tools, and digital platforms like CCTNS and ICJS to build stronger cases.

Officers are extensively training on the iGOT Karamyogi portal, and trainers have conducted hands-on training sessions for SHOs, IOs, and computer operators to familiarise them with new applications.

Chandigarh Police Launches Nyay Setu, a Digital Platform for Seamless Inter-Agency Coordination.

To boost efficiency and collaboration, the Chandigarh Police has introduced Nyay Setu, a dedicated digital platform.

This innovative tool provides a single-window access to data from all components of the Inter-operable Judicial Service System (ICJS), facilitating smooth information exchange and coordination among agencies.

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