Amit Shah Pushes AI-Led Crime Probes, Sets Ambitious 3-Year Target for Justice Delivery in India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has outlined an ambitious vision to transform India’s criminal justice system, promising that FIRs registered under the new criminal laws will be resolved within three years. He has also emphasized the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), forensic science, and digital technologies to make investigations faster, more transparent, and evidence-driven.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set an ambitious target for India’s criminal justice system, declaring that within the next few years, the country should be capable of delivering justice in criminal cases within three years of an FIR being registered. The goal forms a key part of the government’s broader effort to modernize policing, investigations, prosecution, and judicial processes under the newly implemented criminal laws.
Speaking at various forums reviewing the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), Shah has repeatedly stressed that India’s justice system must move away from the long-standing culture of delayed trials and endless court adjournments. According to him, citizens should no longer have to wait for years—or even decades—for criminal cases to reach a conclusion.
The Home Minister’s vision is rooted in the government’s belief that the new criminal laws, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, can fundamentally reshape how justice is delivered in India.
‘No More Tareekh Pe Tareekh’ – Amit Shah has argued that one of the biggest shortcomings of India’s legal system has been delay. Referring to the widely used phrase “tareekh pe tareekh”—a popular expression symbolizing repeated court adjournments—he said the new legal framework is designed to ensure faster and more predictable justice.
According to Shah, once the reforms are fully implemented, criminal cases will move through investigation, prosecution, and judicial scrutiny within clearly defined timelines. He has expressed confidence that FIRs registered after full implementation of the system will, on average, reach resolution within three years.
The government sees this target as comparable to its earlier initiatives focused on “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living,” extending the same philosophy to what it describes as “Ease of Justice.”
Artificial Intelligence to Transform Investigations : A major component of Shah’s reform agenda is the integration of Artificial Intelligence into criminal investigations and law enforcement processes.
The Home Minister has instructed agencies involved in crime detection and prevention to adopt AI-driven systems for reporting, analysis, and operational efficiency. AI is expected to assist investigators in processing large volumes of data, identifying patterns, analyzing digital evidence, and accelerating investigations.
Officials believe AI can significantly improve the speed and accuracy of investigations, particularly in complex cases involving cybercrime, financial fraud, organized crime networks, and digital evidence. The technology is also expected to reduce the burden on investigators by automating routine analytical tasks and enabling quicker decision-making.
The government has also promoted the development of national forensic databases and AI-assisted forensic analysis systems that can process information more efficiently than traditional manual methods.
Forensics at the Core of New Criminal Laws: One of the most significant changes under the new legal framework is the increased emphasis on scientific evidence and forensic investigation.
Shah has repeatedly highlighted that modern policing should rely on data and forensic science rather than outdated investigative methods. Under the new laws, forensic investigation has become mandatory for serious offences carrying punishment of seven years or more. Investigators are required to document crime scenes scientifically and collect evidence using modern techniques.
The government has invested heavily in expanding forensic infrastructure across the country. New Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) are being established, while additional campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) are being developed to train future experts.
Officials believe that stronger forensic capabilities will not only improve conviction rates but also reduce wrongful prosecutions by ensuring that evidence rather than assumptions drives investigations.
Digital Integration Across the Justice System : The modernization effort extends beyond policing.
The government has connected police stations, forensic laboratories, prosecution agencies, prisons, and courts through digital platforms. This integration is intended to eliminate paperwork delays and improve coordination between various institutions involved in criminal justice delivery.
Online FIR registration, zero FIR mechanisms, digital evidence management, videography of seizures, and electronic documentation are among the reforms being implemented nationwide. According to Shah, these measures aim to make the system more transparent, accountable, and citizen-friendly.
States have also begun deploying digital tools such as e-Sakshya and e-Summon applications to streamline investigations and legal procedures. These platforms enable officers to upload audio-video evidence digitally and improve record management.
Balancing AI With Human Judgment: While the government is encouraging AI adoption in investigations and administration, India’s judiciary is simultaneously working to establish safeguards against excessive reliance on automated systems.
The Supreme Court’s draft regulations on AI clearly state that no judicial outcome can be determined solely by artificial intelligence. Human judges must remain responsible for all judicial decisions, including verdicts, bail decisions, sentencing, and evaluation of witness credibility.
The draft framework allows AI to assist with administrative functions such as case management, scheduling, document analysis, and research but prohibits algorithm-only decision-making in matters affecting personal liberty and justice.
Legal experts view this approach as an attempt to strike a balance between technological innovation and constitutional safeguards. AI may help reduce delays and improve efficiency, but final responsibility for justice will remain with human judges.
Challenges Ahead: Despite the ambitious targets, experts caution that achieving three-year justice delivery across India’s vast judicial system will require substantial institutional reforms.
India continues to face challenges including judicial vacancies, infrastructure constraints, growing case loads, and uneven technological readiness across states. While AI and digital tools can improve efficiency, they cannot entirely eliminate structural bottlenecks.
Successful implementation will depend on coordinated action by police forces, forensic agencies, prosecutors, courts, and state governments. Continuous training, technological investments, and legal oversight will also be critical to ensuring that reforms translate into real-world improvements for citizens.
The government’s justice reform agenda represents one of the most significant overhauls of India’s criminal justice system since Independence. By combining new laws, forensic science, digital governance, and artificial intelligence, policymakers hope to create a faster, more transparent, and more reliable system of justice.
Whether the ambitious three-year resolution target can be achieved remains to be seen. However, the emphasis on technology-driven investigations and evidence-based policing signals a major shift in how India intends to tackle crime and deliver justice in the coming decade.
Amit Shah’s push for AI-enabled investigations reflects a broader global trend where governments are increasingly leveraging technology to modernize law enforcement and judicial systems. If implemented effectively, AI could significantly reduce investigation timelines, improve evidence analysis, and enhance transparency. However, the success of these reforms will depend on maintaining a careful balance between technological efficiency and constitutional protections, ensuring that human judgment remains central to the pursuit of justice.
