J&K police register first FIRs under new legal code BNS
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Jul 1: Jammu and Kashmir Police registered its first FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the new criminal laws that came into effect on Monday, in Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla and Kulgam districts.
An official told Kashmir Despatch “This historic event marks the beginning of a new era in the justice delivery system within the Kashmir Zone.
He said In Anantnag district, FIR No. 143/2024, was registered under Section 125 (a) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 at Bijbehara Police Station. It was the first FIR registered in the Kashmir Zone under the new criminal laws.
The official siad in Srinagar district, FIR No. 22/2024 was filed under sections 303 of BNS and 135 (1) of the Electricity Act was registered at Chanapora Police Station.
In Baramulla, police registered FIR No. 93/2024 under sections 303(2) and 329(3) of the BNS at Kreeri Police Station.
In Sopore, FIR No. 25/2024 was lodged under Section 223, 303 (ii) and 326A of the BNS at Panzla Police Station.
Kulgam Police also registered its first case — FIR No 47/2024 under sections 74, 115 (2) of the BNS at Yaripora Police Station, the spokesperson said.
Similarly, the first FIR was successfully registered in the Doda district under the new criminal law provisions. According to District Police Doda FIR No. 170/2024, U/S 281/125-A BNS is the first FIR registered in Police Station Doda under new criminal Laws.
Bishnah Police Station in Jammu District has also registered the very first FIR under the recently enacted Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), marking a significant evolution in the region’s legal framework.
This pivotal case emerged from a written complaint filed today by Srashat Magotra, S/o Jagan Nath, a resident of Nougran Bishnah, alleging an assault by Raj Kumar, S/o Gandharwan Singh, accompanied by two unidentified individuals, all hailing from the same locality. Subsequently, a case has been registered under FIR No. 85/24, invoking Sections 109/115/3 BNS and 4/25 A Act, with the investigation being spearheaded by PSI Mohd Zahid.
The registration of this FIR heralds a new era in Jammu District’s law enforcement, underscoring the commencement of legal proceedings under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Moving forward, all FIRs will adhere to the BNS, while cases registered before July 1, 2024, will proceed under the IPC (Indian Penal Code), CRPC (Criminal Procedure Code), and Indian Evidence Act until their respective conclusions.
Pertinent to mention here that three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—came into effect across the country on Monday, July 1. They brought widespread changes in India’s criminal justice system and ended colonial-era laws.
The new criminal laws will bring in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.
Union home minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the British-era laws that gave primacy to penal action.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
