New Delhi: Justice replaces punishment in the three new criminal laws that came into force today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said. Mr Shah, who led the exercise to review the country's criminal law system, told the media today that 77 years after Independence, the country has a completely 'swadeshi' legal system.

With the overhaul of the colonial-era criminal code, an "Indian soul" has been added to the justice system, he said, "The provisions are such they many groups would be benefited. Many sections from the British era have been replaced by sections in sync with today."

On crimes relating to violence against women, Mr Shah said the new law provides for recording the survivor's statement at her home and also mentioned an online FIR facility that will shield her from social stigma.

"There was no provision in law for mob lynching case. It has now been defined. This was a longstanding demand. Also, we have completely removed the section of treason and brought a new section for anti-national activities. Earlier, it was a crime to make a statement against the government. Now, a law will provide for action against attempts to harm India's unity and sovereignty," he said, sharing the highlights of the new criminal codes.

Mr Shah said the new criminal laws would create a modern legal system. "We have not just imbibed technology, but have pre-empted technological changes that may take place over the next 50 years. I believe this will be the world's most modern criminal justice system."

Mr Shah said videography is now mandatory during search and seizure exercises so that no one can be framed. The e-statement of a survivor of rape or sexual harassment is legally valid now, he said.

The new laws, he said, are victim centric. "Earlier, police picked someone up and his family members had to go to court. Now we have made it compulsory to maintain a register and e-register at every police station that will list which criminal is in police custody. So a habeus corpus plea in court won't be needed," he said. Searches and raids, he said, would be videographed.

Source: NDTV