Gurgaon, July 2, 2024 — On Monday morning, police stations across Gurgaon resembled classrooms as station house officers (SHOs) and their colleagues gathered to read and discuss the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Samhita (BNSS) laws. The transition from the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has posed significant challenges for law enforcement officers, who must now navigate parallel investigations under two different sets of laws.
Police Stations Prepare for Transition
In a tour of six police stations—Udyog Vihar, Sector 29, Gurgaon Sadar, Palam Vihar, Cyber West, and Rajendra Park—this correspondent observed officers diligently preparing for the implementation of the new laws. SHOs were seen reading aloud from the new law books, with their colleagues listening attentively and taking notes.
At Rajendra Park, officers were busy investigating the first murder case in the city to be lodged under BNS. A 16-year-old boy is accused of strangling a 9-year-old girl and setting her ablaze after she caught him stealing jewelry from her flat. The case has been registered under BNS sections 103 (1) (murder), 238 (a) (causing disappearance of evidence), 305 (theft), and 62 (attempt to commit offenses).
“We are following the procedure in keeping with the new laws. A forensic team has also inspected the flat,” said an officer at Rajendra Park.
Benefits and Challenges of New Provisions
At Udyog Vihar, SHO Sandeep highlighted the advantages of mandatory video evidence under the new laws. “Key evidence will be in the form of videos, which will have solid evidentiary value in court. It will also reduce the chances of witnesses turning hostile as video proof will negate vague or contradictory statements,” he explained.
Ravi Kumar, the SHO of Sector 29 police station, said that officers had been provided with printouts of the IPC sections and their corresponding BNS provisions. “Cases that occurred from July 1 will be registered under BNS. Crimes prior to that will involve IPC sections. Our system has both options. Computer operators who key in the sections while entering details of an FIR have received training,” he added.
Ongoing Training and Adaptation
At Palam Vihar, an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable were seen explaining the changes in the law to a complainant. “We have already undergone training on key features and changes in laws. But none of us is an expert yet. We are still comfortable with IPC and CrPC sections as we have dealt with them for years. But we will soon master the new provisions as well. Yes, there will be challenges in the first few weeks. But we will figure out how to deal with them,” the assistant sub-inspector said.
The police are preparing for a period of adjustment as they work to become proficient with the new legal provisions. Workshops and continued training sessions are anticipated to help officers navigate the transition more smoothly.
Conclusion
As Gurgaon police stations adapt to the new BNS and BNSS laws, officers are committed to ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining effective law enforcement. The initial challenges are expected to be overcome with continued education and practical application of the new legal framework.
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