Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 9 August said the three new criminal laws enacted by the Narendra Modi government rest on three foundational pillars — technology, timeline, and trust — and are designed to deliver faster, more effective justice to every citizen. Shah made the remarks while addressing a ceremony at the Police Training School ground in Gorimedu, Puducherry, after presenting the President's Colour to the Puducherry Police.

A Break from the Colonial Justice Framework

Shah described the new legal framework as a decisive departure from India's colonial-era criminal justice architecture. He said that embedding technology into investigative and judicial procedures, and fixing clear timelines at every stage, would make the system more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric. Building public trust in the justice delivery mechanism was an equally non-negotiable component, he added.

The three laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act respectively, completing a wholesale overhaul of the country's criminal statutes.

Puducherry Police Receives President's Colour

Congratulating the force on the honour, Shah called it one of the proudest moments in the history of any disciplined police organisation. He noted that despite a strength of fewer than 5,000 personnel, the Puducherry Police shoulder the responsibility of maintaining law and order, ensuring internal security, and protecting the Union Territory and its residents.

With this conferment, Puducherry has become the 18th State or Union Territory in the country to receive the prestigious recognition. The President's Colour is widely regarded as the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a police force in acknowledgement of its distinguished service and professional excellence.

Dignitaries Present at the Ceremony

The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, state Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Director General of Police Shalini Singh, and other senior officials.

What Comes Next for Shah in Puducherry

Shah was also scheduled to flag off a Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra at the Muruga Theatre Signal in Puducherry later the same day, as part of a broader drive promoting the national flag and civic participation ahead of Independence Day. The visit underscores the Centre's focus on Puducherry ahead of the patriotic observance, with the criminal law reforms serving as a key policy message for the Union Territory's law enforcement community.