With the new criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — coming into pressure on Monday, the Maharashtra Police stated ample measures have been taken for the efficient and swift implementation of the brand new statutes. In an interview with Vijay Kumar Yadav, state Director Normal of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla explains how the brand new statutes are being carried out in Maharashtra. Excerpts:
What number of offences have been registered within the state underneath the three new legal guidelines as of Monday?
In all, 122 FIRs have been registered within the state underneath the brand new legal guidelines (until 7.30 pm) on Monday. The primary prison case registered underneath the provisions of the brand new legal guidelines is in Ahmednagar taluka police station — FIR quantity 561/2024 underneath sections 309(4) and three(5) of the BNS. The case is of a theft (a property offence) with frequent intention filed in opposition to a number of robbers on the police station. In Mumbai, the DB Marg police station registered the primary FIR underneath the brand new provisions of the legislation underneath cyber crime provisions. The offence befell on June 26.
One among these (122) FIRs was filed as ‘Zero FIR’ on the Bhusawal GRP underneath the Chhattrapati Sambhaji Nagar railway police and was transferred to the police station involved.
How do you see the brand new legal guidelines compared to the outdated legal guidelines?
In contrast to earlier legal guidelines, the brand new legal guidelines have stronger and stricter provisions. Earlier, authorized provisions for sedition weren’t that strict; earlier statutes didn’t cowl mob lynching; now they’re coated. They (the brand new legal guidelines) will put concern within the minds of criminals and assist test crimes.
From the 511 sections of the Indian Penal Code, the BNS now has 358 sections. CrPC had 484 sections; now BNNS has 531 sections; the Indian Proof Act had 167; whereas the BSA has 117 sections.
The three new legal guidelines have stringent provisions for crimes in opposition to ladies and kids, physique offences, nationwide integrity, crime in opposition to armed forces, cyber crimes, communal crime (mob lynching), and so forth.
What measures have been taken to make sure swift and efficient implementation of the three new prison legal guidelines?
We began preparations for this since January this 12 months. Greater than 25,000 policemen have undergone the coaching, and additional coaching periods would cowl extra personnel. As many as 74 quick movies have been ready to help policemen; 258 grasp trainers have been usually attending to policemen on the district and sub-divisional ranges. Examine materials and mushy copies have been handed over to the police station employees. In addition to this, intensive coaching of the CCTNS operators and police station in-charge officers has been given concerning 23 new functionalities launched by the Nationwide Crime Document Bureau (NCRB) system.
Each constable has a comparative chart (of sections and provisions of outdated and new legal guidelines).
There may be additionally a 24×7 Helpline of NCRB — 14415 — for policemen to resolve their doubts.
The brand new legal guidelines have new names and new sections. Now we have submitted 23 proposals for 23 notifications and guidelines for the Residence division, out of which three have been issued. The remaining might be issued quickly.
The Residence division is coordinating with the district-level prosecutions for the executive construction of prosecutors within the district. The Residence division can be coordinating with the MLCs (Medico Authorized Instances) circumstances.
There will definitely be some errors in the course of the preliminary implementation. However our intentions are clear. It’s a studying course of. We’re prepared to satisfy all of the challenges.
The brand new legal guidelines discuss obligatory go to of forensic specialists’ groups to the crime scene for proof assortment. Is the state sufficiently outfitted with the required sources to satisfy the provisions of the brand new legal guidelines?
With new legal guidelines, there’s extra thrust on expertise and forensic science.
Now we have been given 5 years’ time for the gradual implementation of this. This may occasionally require sources, infrastructure, and expertise spending value round Rs 1,300 crore.
However, we have now already began the implementation of the brand new provisions on a pilot foundation in Navi Mumbai and Nagpur police commissionerates. In offences which have a punishment of greater than seven years and are dedicated in these two cities, a forensic unit will compulsorily go to the crime scene.
How will the provisions for on-line FIRs work underneath the brand new statutes?
For on-line FIRs, the complainant or sufferer has to file an internet criticism via the police’s net portal, and inside three days they must seem earlier than the police to signal their criticism and authenticate the identical to show them into FIRs. On Monday, we obtained eight on-line FIRs. For now, these could be handled as complaints and as soon as the victims or complainants seem earlier than the police and signal their complaints, they are going to be transformed into FIRs.
Are steps being taken to make sure public consciousness of the brand new prison legal guidelines?
Sure. A number of steps are being taken to create consciousness amongst individuals. As we speak, all police stations throughout the state organised programmes on the police station degree to create public consciousness concerning the brand new legal guidelines. Consciousness supplies are being shared on social media platforms. Flex had been put up, and pamplets had been distributed to speak the adjustments in a easy method on the police station degree.
The brand new legal guidelines concentrate on transparency and honest follow. Will this pressure the division to alter the normal type of policing?
Policing doesn’t imply that you just at all times beat individuals. Policing means it’s a must to carry out your obligation in a good method and assist a citizen get his or her rightful justice.
