The Union Government’s decision to replace the colonial-era laws with the three criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — was aimed at providing justice to citizens through a system that was more technology-driven and time-bound, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Puducherry on Sunday (August 9, 2026).

Participating in the presentation ceremony of the President’s Police Colour to the Puducherry Police at a parade held at the Police Training School ground in Gorimedu, the Home Minister said the new criminal laws are aimed at providing speedy justice to the citizens of India. 

“The new laws are based on the three pillars of technology, timeline, and trust. The aim was to provide justice to the people of our country,” Mr. Shah said.

Lauding the Puducherry Police for bagging the prestigious President’s Police Colour, he said, “Receiving the award is a glorious moment for any disciplined police force. It is a force with a strength of less than 5,000 personnel entrusted with the task of maintaining internal security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while reviewing the situation in Union Territories, I got an opportunity to experience the good work of Puducherry police. They did a good job in a difficult situation”.

Promising the Union Territory administration full support in initiating welfare and development works, Mr. Shah said the Centre had provided around ₹13,762 crore between 2014 and 2026. 7.7 lakh people of Puducherry have benefitted from Central schemes, including Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Earlier, the Minister handed over a ceremonial colour flag to the Puducherry Police at a parade marking the conferment of the President’s Police Colour. Before handing over the flag, Superintendents of Police Subham Sundar Ghosh and Rachna Singh led a Pile-the-Drum Ceremony as part of handing over the flag. The Puducherry Police became the 18^th State/Union Territory in the country to be bestowed with the highest honour conferred upon the police force in the country.

Mr. Shah also presented the Kendriya Griha Mantri Dakshata Padak and scrolls to Senior Superintendent of Police R. Kalaivanan and Senior Superintendent of Police Lakshmi Soujanya. Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, and Director General of Police Shalini Singh spoke at the event. Ministers, legislators belonging to the ruling AINRC, BJP, and senior officers attended the event.