Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday directed that First Information Reports (FIRs) in the Union Territory of Puducherry should be registered in the Tamil language, with necessary provisions in place to make translations available in other languages for those who require them.
Shah made the statement while chairing a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the three new criminal laws in Puducherry. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, the Home Minister of Puducherry, the Union Home Secretary, as well as the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) of the Union Territory.
During the review, the Home Minister assessed the current status and progress of critical legal and law enforcement components, including policing, prison administration, court processes, prosecution systems, and forensic services.
According to an official release, Shah reaffirmed that FIRs in Puducherry must be registered in Tamil, the region’s predominant language. He also instructed that arrangements should be made to provide translations into other languages when needed, to ensure accessibility for all citizens.
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Praising Puducherry's efforts, Shah stated that the Union Territory had performed commendably in moving towards implementing the new criminal laws introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged officials to expedite the full implementation of these laws.
Shah also stressed the importance of integrating technology and modern investigative techniques. He directed that fingerprints of all arrested individuals be recorded in the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), so the database can be utilised effectively for criminal investigations and background checks.
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On the legal front, Shah asserted that the Director of Prosecution alone should be authorised to provide legal advice in any case, to ensure uniformity and consistency in legal procedures.
The Home Minister further instructed the full implementation of digital and tech-based systems such as e-Summons, e-Sakshya, Nyaya Shruti, and improved forensics. These initiatives are aimed at streamlining legal procedures, enhancing transparency, and boosting efficiency in the criminal justice system.
To ensure consistent progress, Shah laid out a strict review schedule:
- The Chief Secretary and DGP should monitor implementation weekly.
- The Home Minister himself will review the progress once every 15 days.
- The Lieutenant Governor is expected to conduct a monthly review.
The review meeting marked a significant step toward fast-tracking the operationalisation of the new legal framework in Puducherry, with emphasis on local language usage, digital transformation, and streamlined legal administration.
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