As the new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — complete one year of implementation, Chandigarh has registered a total of 3,154 FIRs under the new framework, including 1,459 e-FIRs.
Of these cases, 758 chargesheets have been filed, and 78 cases have been decided, with 71 convictions — marking a “remarkable” 91.1 per cent conviction rate in the city, police said.
Chandigarh was the first state/ UT in the country to fully implement the trio of reformed criminal laws and has emerged as a leading example of technology-driven, transparent, and citizen-centric policing. Over the past year, the city police undertook a comprehensive approach to adapting to the new legal architecture — focusing on capacity-building, forensic enhancement, digital integration, and public engagement.
According to the police, more than 6,124 police personnel, including senior officers, SHOs, and investigators, were trained extensively on the new provisions. A group of 29 master trainers was developed, and training modules were conducted in collaboration with judicial academies and law schools. To strengthen investigative capabilities, 14 forensic experts were hired through the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), along with 22 IT specialists through NICSI.
Applications such as eSakshya, Nyay Setu, eProsecution, and MedLEaPR have enabled faster, evidence-based policing. The eSakshya platform alone has digitally documented 2,675 pieces of evidence, which are securely stored with geo-tagging and hash verification. AI-based tools like CCTNS Khoji have enhanced suspect tracking, search capabilities, and biometric identification, a Chandigarh police official said.
The average time taken for conviction in cases under the new laws has been reduced significantly — from 300 days to just 110 days — reflecting greater speed and efficiency in investigations and trial processes. Five forensic teams now operate round-the-clock, supported by QR code-based evidence tracking systems to maintain chain of custody, the official added.
