Street vendor booked under new penal code 'Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita'; Know what he did

Delhi Police: India's transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) commenced today, July 1, with the registration of the first criminal report at Delhi's Kamla Market police station.

An FIR under Section 285 of the BNS was filed against a street vendor for obstructing the foot overbridge at New Delhi Railway Station. Chhaya Sharma, Special CP, Training, highlighted to ANI that these FIRs mark the enforcement of new sections introduced under the BNS. She underscored the significance of digital evidence and the role of forensic experts in the new legal framework.

Delhi: First FIR u/s of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 registered at Kamla Market PS in Delhi. Case registered against a street vendor u/s 285 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstruction under foot over bridge of New Delhi Railway Station and making sales.

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Preparation and Implementation

Sharma elaborated, stating, "We have prepared a pocket booklet divided into 4 parts, containing transitions from IPC to BNS, newly added sections, categories subject to up to 7 years of imprisonment, and a reference table for everyday policing."

The BNS, along with the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the IPC (1860), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) (1973), and the Indian Evidence Act (1872) respectively, following parliamentary approval in December 2023. Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that these laws were crafted to replace colonial-era laws with indigenous frameworks.

#WATCH | Delhi: Special CP, Training, Chhaya Sharma gives details on the three criminal laws that come into effect from today, 1st July 2024.

She says, "Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam come are being implemented from… pic.twitter.com/MzpTajHq7n

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

New Provisions and Criticism

Among the new provisions, Clause 69 of the BNS, which criminalises sexual intercourse through deceitful means, has sparked controversy. Critics argue that it could inadvertently criminalise consensual relationships and bolster narratives like "love jihad."

The overhaul of India's criminal laws under the BNS was initiated amid calls for modernization, yet concerns have been raised about the hurried consultation process during the pandemic.