Amit Shah directs FIRs in Puducherry to be registered in Tamil

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday emphasised that First Information Reports (FIRs) in the Union Territory of Puducherry should be registered in Tamil, with arrangements made to provide them in other languages for those who require it. This directive was given during a meeting where the implementation of three new criminal laws in Puducherry was reviewed alongside Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan.

Shah took stock of the progress regarding key provisions, including police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensic services, under the new criminal laws. He praised the Union Territory’s efforts in implementing these laws, which were introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Home Minister also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the new laws are swiftly put into practice. He stated that all arrested criminals’ fingerprints should be recorded under the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), enabling better use of the database.

Shah further asserted that only the Director of Prosecution should have the authority to provide legal advice in any case. He called for the full implementation of provisions like e-summons, e-Sakshya, Nyaya Shruti, and forensics at the earliest.

To monitor progress, Shah instructed that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police in Puducherry should review the implementation of these criminal laws on a weekly basis, while the Home Minister should do so every 15 days, and the Lieutenant Governor should conduct a review once a month.

The meeting was attended by the Home Minister of Puducherry, the Union Home Secretary, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police, among other officials.

With PTI inputs