Dehradun: In a significant step towards strengthening the criminal justice system and ensuring seamless implementation of India's new criminal laws, a high-level review meeting was held at the Uttarakhand Secretariat on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Police, Prisons, Judiciary, Prosecution, and Forensic departments to assess the progress and readiness of the state's implementation framework.

During the review, the Home Secretary directed all concerned departments to ensure 100 percent compliance with the new criminal laws across the state by the end of August 2026. Emphasizing the importance of coordinated action, he conducted a comprehensive assessment of the implementation mechanism and called for targeted reforms to strengthen operational efficiency at the police station level.

Bagauli instructed district-level authorities to promote citizen-centric policing and expand the use of e-FIR facilities to improve public access to justice. He also stressed the need to enhance the quality and speed of investigations and ensure the timely disposal of cases within the prescribed 60-day and 90-day timelines under the new legal framework.

A major focus of the meeting was the integration of digital systems across departments. The Home Secretary directed officials to adopt the principle of “One Data, One Entry” by integrating all online platforms, thereby reducing duplication, improving efficiency, and enabling seamless information sharing among agencies involved in the criminal justice process.

In another important directive, the Home Secretary instructed the Prison and Correctional Services Department to ensure that 100 percent of court appearances by inmates are conducted through video conferencing facilities. The move is expected to enhance security, reduce logistical challenges, and improve the efficiency of judicial proceedings.

The meeting underscored the state's commitment to leveraging technology, improving coordination among institutions, and ensuring that the benefits of the newly enacted criminal laws reach citizens effectively. Officials reviewed departmental preparedness and discussed strategies to address implementation challenges in a time-bound manner.

Concluding the meeting, Bagauli directed all concerned departments to strictly adhere to the prescribed timelines and ensure rigorous compliance with the instructions issued. He emphasized that the successful implementation of the new criminal laws would play a crucial role in delivering faster, more transparent, and citizen-friendly justice across Uttarakhand.

The review meeting reflects the state's proactive approach towards modernizing its criminal justice administration and ensuring that the transition to the new legal regime is both efficient and effective.

Disclaimer: This news is written on the basis of information received from different authentic sources.