Setting a national benchmark through advanced technology, upgraded forensic infrastructure, and intensive training under India’s new criminal laws, Haryana has emerged as a frontrunner in the country’s justice reform movement. The impact of these sweeping changes is already evident most notably in a case where a death sentence was awarded within just 140 days in the rape of a minor, exemplifying the state’s commitment to fast, victim-centric justice.
Spearheading an ambitious revamp across police functioning, prosecution, investigation, and courtroom procedures, Haryana’s model has been lauded for its “holistic and technology-driven” approach, as stated by Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra. Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, attending an exhibition on three New Criminals Laws organised by Delhi Government at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
While interacting with media persons today at the exhibition Dr. Misra stated that the backbone of Haryana’s reforms is a massive capacity building initiative that has trained over 54,000 police personnel in the nuanced provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
The training emphasized not only legal understanding but also victim-sensitive investigation, digital integration, and modern evidence handling. In parallel, over 37,800 officers have been onboarded onto the iGOT Karmayogi platform, promoting continuous, self-paced legal education one of the most extensive digital skilling drives among state police forces, she added.
Dr. Misra said Haryana’s digital policing leap is anchored by full-scale implementation of platforms like eSummon and eSakshya. Over 91.37% of summonses are now issued electronically, while 100% of searches and seizures are digitally recorded. Notably, 67.5% of witness and complainant statements are being captured using the eSakshya mobile application, standardizing evidence collection and improving transparency across investigations.
Dr. Misra said that the state approach to gender-sensitive justice is fortified by Fast Track Special Courts under the POCSO Act in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula, ensuring swift trials in heinous crimes against women and children. Dr. Misra informed that under the new criminal laws, witness examination has now extended beyond traditional courtrooms whereby witnesses can now be examined at “designated places”.
Designated places include government offices, banks and other such places as may be notified by the government. Haryana has made tremendous and exemplary progress in this direction and 2,117 designated places have been set up for witness examination via audio/video electronic means across all districts, thereby significantly enhancing accessibility and convenience.
Further, video conferencing rooms/facility has been made available exclusively for women/vulnerable witnesses in all districts. The state has also significantly expanded its forensic infrastructure, with mobile forensic vans deployed in every district and two in larger districts.
A substantial Rs. 68.70 crore investment has enabled the procurement of modern cyber forensic tools. The government has approved 208 new forensic posts, with 186 vacancies already filled, further strengthening investigative depth.
Dr. Misra further informed that the seamless integration of platforms like TraKea and MedLEaPR into the workflow has ensured that post-mortem and medical examination reports are now filed digitally within seven days, accelerating both charge sheet filing and case adjudication. Haryana is also leveraging biometric and digital identification tools such as NAFIS and Chitrakhoji to strengthen crime-tracking systems.
Dr. Misra said judicial access has been modernized through the Nyay Shruti pilot project in Karnal, where five district courts are now equipped with video conferencing cubicles. Over 50% of police personnel and 70% of accused individuals are now participating in judicial proceedings remotely, significantly reducing logistical challenges and saving both time and public resources. These reforms are not just theoretical they are delivering results.
In addition to the 140-day death sentence conviction, several other criminal trials have concluded in under 20 days, demonstrating Haryana’s ability to deliver swift, efficient, and transparent justice. In high-priority Chinhit Apradh (identified crimes) cases, the conviction rate has exceeded 95% in multiple districts.
Furthermore, through Chinhit Apradh initiative, 1,683 heinous cases have been rigorously fast-tracked and monitored at the highest levels, Dr. Misra added.
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