Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Ministry of Home Affairs is actively working with the Supreme Court of India to develop a new system aimed at reducing the pendency of cases in the Supreme Court and various high courts, ensuring timely justice for citizens.

Addressing the inaugural session of the All India Fingerprint Conference-2026 organised by the National Crime Records Bureau in New Delhi, Shah stressed the importance of scientific investigation, accurate evidence collection, and the effective use of technology in strengthening the criminal justice system.

The Home Minister said that significant reforms have been undertaken through the three new criminal laws introduced by the government. He noted that nearly 90 per cent of the legal loopholes identified in the previous criminal laws have been addressed.

“The Union Home Ministry is actively engaged with the Supreme Court to create a new system that can effectively deal with volume-based delays in the High Courts and the Supreme Court,” Shah said, adding that the government is determined to eliminate unnecessary delays in the delivery of justice.

He urged police officers and forensic experts to ensure proper collection and preservation of evidence from crime scenes, emphasizing that contaminated evidence often weakens prosecution and delays convictions.

Shah called upon investigating officers to file timely charge sheets, maintain regular coordination with prosecutors, and pursue cases diligently to facilitate speedy judicial decisions.

Highlighting the growing role of technology in policing, the Home Minister said that crime-related data should be analysed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning tools to identify crime patterns, predict criminal activities, and expedite investigations.

Referring to the proposed Modus Operandi Bureau within the NCRB, Shah said the unit should now begin functioning to study criminal methodologies, repeat offenders, and interstate as well as international criminal networks.

The minister also emphasized the wider use of the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), stating that while the system has helped solve several complex cases, its potential remains underutilised.

“NAFIS is currently being used only about 10 per cent of the time. It should not be limited to identifying criminals alone. The database must be continuously enriched with fingerprints collected from every crime scene,” he said.

Shah observed that India’s criminal justice system is undergoing a major transformation and must evolve into an effective mechanism for ensuring citizens receive the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

He also highlighted the need for specialised training of police personnel and prosecutors under the new criminal laws so that only relevant and scientifically verified evidence is presented before courts.

Stressing the need for efficiency, Shah said technological tools such as fingerprint matching, DNA analysis, facial recognition, and digital evidence should be effectively integrated into investigations, prosecution, and conviction processes.

“We need to ensure the active use of technology across the entire chain of investigation, prosecution, and conviction,” the Home Minister said.

The conference brought together police officers, forensic experts, and criminal justice professionals from across the country to discuss advancements in forensic science, fingerprint analysis, and technology-driven policing.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asserted that conventional warfare and military capabilities remain as relevant today as they were in 1947 and will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding national interests in the future.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press at Yantra India Limited (YIL) in Ambajhari, Nagpur, Singh emphasized the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the need to strengthen India’s military-industrial base.

The new facility is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imports of critical aluminium components required for defence production.

Highlighting the lessons from global conflicts, Singh said that supply chains often face severe disruptions during wars and geopolitical crises.

“In such a scenario, every nation wants essential items to be manufactured domestically,” he said, stressing that a country capable of fulfilling its own requirements can move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

The Defence Minister noted that despite rapid technological advancements, conventional warfare and traditional military capabilities continue to hold strategic importance.

“Conventional warfare and means are still relevant today, just as they were in 1947. They will remain equally important even in 2047,” Singh said.

He added that a strong military-industrial base would remain indispensable for national security and defence preparedness in the coming decades.

Highlighting India’s growing defence capabilities, Singh said the country’s defence production has witnessed a remarkable rise, increasing from approximately Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to over Rs 1,78,000 crore in 2025-26.

He further noted that India’s defence exports have also recorded significant growth, rising from around Rs 1,000 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 40,000 crore at present.

Singh said the government’s focus on indigenous manufacturing, technological innovation, and self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has played a key role in strengthening India’s defence sector and enhancing its global standing in defence production and exports.