Face2News/Chandigarh
Haryana has firmly established itself as a national frontrunner in the implementation of India’s new criminal laws, recording sharp gains in conviction rates, forensic compliance and investigation timelines, while simultaneously unveiling an ambitious reform roadmap encompassing mobile forensic units, major investments in DNA and cyber forensics, large-scale police recruitment and expanded prison infrastructure, said Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra.
While addressing prosecution officers as Chief Guest at a workshop organised by the Prosecution Department at PWD Rest House, Panchkula on the implementation of the new criminal laws in Haryana, Dr. Sumita Misra said the rollout of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam represents a comprehensive transformation of the criminal justice system. Describing prosecutors as the “architects of justice,” she said their legal acumen and courtroom advocacy are central to converting police investigations into meaningful justice for victims and society.
Between July 1, 2024 and December 24, 2025, the state registered 1,59,034 first information reports, of which charge-sheets or final reports were filed in 1,37,141 cases which is approximately 87 percent, Dr. Misra said. Nearly 70 per cent of cases falling under the mandatory 60-day investigation timeline were completed within the stipulated period, while compliance under the 90-day category stood close to 80 per cent. Several districts achieved compliance levels exceeding 85 per cent, reflecting tighter supervision, improved inter-district coordination and more effective monitoring mechanisms.
Highlighting forensic reforms, Dr. Misra said that in 2025 forensic experts visited 97.2 per cent of crime scenes requiring mandatory examination. Haryana has achieved zero pendency in all serious offences where mandatory forensic visits are required. In cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the state reported a 99 per cent DNA positivity rate, setting a national benchmark in scientific evidence-based investigation.
On conviction outcomes, Dr. Misra informed that conviction rates under the new legal framework have nearly tripled, rising to 72 per cent compared to 24 per cent under the earlier system. More than 81,000 cases were disposed of in just 17 months, underscoring the effectiveness of the transition to the new criminal laws.
She further said that technology-driven justice delivery has played a critical role in these reforms, with extensive use of Aadhaar-authenticated workflows, eSign tools, real-time crime documentation, auto-registration of FIRs in vehicle theft cases and large-scale adoption of video conferencing. Nearly 78 per cent of under-trial court appearances are now conducted virtually, supported by more than 2,100 designated electronic witness examination facilities across the state.
Outlining the roadmap ahead, Dr. Misra said the Home Department has planned deployment of 40 mobile forensic vans, a Rs. 101 crore investment to modernize investigative equipment and an additional Rs. 18 crore allocation this financial year to strengthen DNA and cyber forensic capabilities. A new DNA Division at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory in Gurugram is scheduled to become operational from January 1, 2026.
On the infrastructure front, she said construction of three new district jails at Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad and Panchkula has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 284 crore, adding capacity for nearly 4,000 inmates, while an ultra-modern district jail complex at Fideri village in Rewari, built at a cost of Rs. 95 crore, has already been completed.
While addressing Dr. Misra stated that taking transformative approach to criminal justice that "restores as much as it corrects" Haryana become the first state to notify the Haryana Community Service Guidelines, 2025, under Section 4(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to institutionalize community service as an alternative to imprisonment for first-time offenders in minor crimes, establishing 17 unique types of community service including blood donation camps, environmental projects, Swachh Bharat Mission activities, support for NCC/NSS, maintenance of public parks, assistance in rural health centres, and conservation of heritage sites.
Dr. Misra emphasized that the guidelines incorporate special provisions for vulnerable groups—juveniles are assigned supervised activities such as NCC training, skill workshops, and environmental projects for skill development and discipline, while women offenders receive carefully matched placements in safe zones like Nari Niketans, anganwadi centres, maternity wards, and child care facilities, ensuring dignity and meaningful contribution.