Amit Shah: Banerjee blocked new criminal laws to shield "syndicate, cut-money" regime in Bengal

Launching a fresh salvo at the erstwhile Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday accused the previous dispensation of not notifying the new criminal laws passed by Parliament, alleging that it wanted to protect the "syndicate, cut-money and extortion regime".

Addressing a gathering at the Kawakhali Maidan in Siliguri where he inaugurated an exhibition on the three new criminal laws -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- Shah asserted that the laws, now implemented by the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government, have taken a decisive step to replace the prevailing environment of fear (bhoy) with that of trust (bharosa).

"While the entire country had begun implementing the new criminal laws, Banerjee never notified them. She knew that the laws would sound the death knell for her syndicate, cut-money and extortion regime," Shah said.

Asserting that the BJP government has imposed the rule of law in the state, Shah said the new criminal laws will fast-track justice delivery mechanism and allow zero FIRs to be lodged at any police station.

Reiterating his resolve to curb cross-border infiltration, Shah said, "I reiterate my firm stand to unearth every single infiltrator in this state and throw them out of the country using the detect-delete-deport mechanism."

"Banerjee had tried to stop the implementation of CAA in Bengal, even made fun of it. But now people have removed her and her government from power," the home minister said.

The new laws came into force on July 1, 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. 

The exhibition, titled 'Five Pillars: Transformed Justice System', will be held till August 26 to familiarise people with the new criminal justice framework, officials said.