Delhi Police registers first case under new penal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against street vendor

As the three new criminal laws—Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—come into effect today (July 1), Delhi Police registered the first FIR under these new laws.

Officials reported that an FIR under section 285 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 was filed against a street vendor at the Kamala Nagar Police Station in Delhi. The vendor was accused of creating an obstruction under the foot overbridge of New Delhi Railway Station while making sales.

"While patrolling late at night, a policeman saw a man (identified as Pankaj Kumar) selling water and gutkha on a cart in the middle of the road near the railway station, causing difficulty for passersby. Despite being told several times to move, he did not comply and left, citing helplessness. The policeman present on the spot asked for his name and address, then registered an FIR under section 285 of the new law, BNS, and started the investigation," the FIR copy mentioned.

Additionally, a probable first case under the new criminal law was also registered at the Nishatpura police station in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The incident, involving assault and abuse, was reported at 12:05 am, and an FIR was filed under the new law at 12:20 am.

While detailed information about the case has not been published, available reports indicate that at 12:00 am in the Nishatpura police station area, an accused (name not identified) allegedly committed assault, obscenity, and mischief against complainant Bhairav Sahu, leading to the police registering a case under the new law. The station in-charge stated that the police in Madhya Pradesh are prepared for the new law.

Here's what experts think of new criminal laws as they come into effect

Meanwhile, as the three new criminal laws come into effect today, experts continue to pour in their reactions and comments.

Starting with, Special CP, Training, Chhaya Sharma gives details on the three criminal laws. She said, "Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam are being implemented from today. FIRs will be registered under these sections from today. Our training for this began on 5th February. We prepared booklets, with the help of which we easily trained Policemen in preparation for the change which is coming...The best part is that we are heading from 'punishment' to 'justice' with a victim-centric approach...For the first time, great emphasis has been given to digital evidence. Now, the evidence will be recorded digitally...The role of forensic experts has been enhanced...We have prepared a pocket booklet - divided into 4 parts - and it contains IPC to BNS, new sections added to BNS, categories that now come under 7 years of punishment, and a table that contains sections needed for everyday Policing..."

Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) and Senior Advocate Pinki Anand also shared her thoughts on the 'historic laws'. She mentioned, "The three new laws will be historic for India. The older laws were formed from different perspectives but the present situation demands something else...Today, electronic evidence has been taken into admissibility. With these new laws, we are going towards speedy justice. Including economic offences & financial offences has been an important step. With these laws, victims will also have full rights where he/she will be informed about everything. E-filing of FIR and Zero FIR has been introduced."

Further, Former Union Law Minister and Senior Advocate Ashwini Kumar shared his disappointment over the implementation of the new law. He said, "...The way the laws have been rushed to the Parliament and the way implementation is sought to be rushed through is not desirable in a democracy. It was not adequately discussed in the Parliamentary committees and there was no extensive discussion about these bills in the house...opposition has been demanding that this change in the legal architecture of criminal laws should be proceeded by meaningful deliberations between all stakeholders, that appears not to have been done."