The government has taken a big step to provide relief to the common people and reduce the increasing burden on the courts. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked all departments to review the pending cases and consider withdrawing those cases which are not very serious.
What will change with the Jan Vishwas Bill?
Parliament has recently passed the Public Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Under this law, changes have been made in 784 sections of 79 central laws. About 1,000 minor crimes have now been decriminalized, meaning these cases will no longer carry jail sentences. Its purpose is to save people from unnecessary legal hassles, simplify government processes and improve the business environment.
What instructions were given to the departments?
The government believes that after the new law, many old cases are no longer necessary. Therefore, all departments have been advised to identify such cases and withdraw them by applying in the court. This will reduce the pressure on the judiciary and cases will be disposed of quickly.
Crores of cases may end
According to government figures, about 5 crore cases related to minor crimes are pending in courts across the country. Most of these are such that there was no need to go to the court. Now it is expected that under the new provisions these cases will be closed quickly.
Which provisions changed?
Many important changes have been made under the Jan Vishwas Bill.
- Jail sentence completely abolished in 57 sections
- Fines removed in 158 sections
- Punishment reduced in 17 cases
- In 113 cases, only penalty was imposed instead of jail and fine.
Apart from this, amendments are also proposed in the Motor Vehicle Act and New Delhi Municipal Council Act, so that the life of common people can be made easier.
Relief in pollution rules also
In cases related to air and noise pollution, for the first time, a warning or light fine will be imposed instead of harsh punishment. However, strict action will continue in case of repeated rule violations. In some cases, there is also a provision to suspend the driving license for three months.
Suggestion to states also to take initiative
The government said that 12 states have already implemented such laws. Rest of the states have also been advised to take steps to decriminalize minor crimes. The objective of the Jan Vishwas Bill is clear: to provide relief to people in small matters, to reduce the burden of the courts and to simplify the system. If it is implemented effectively, it can prove to be a big relief for both the general public and businesses.