Overview of New Criminal Laws
On the first day under new criminal laws, Karnataka police registered 80 First Information Reports (FIRs) as of 9.30 pm on Monday. The information was disclosed by the office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP). The new laws, which include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
First Cases Registered in Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, the HSR Layout police registered the first ever Unnatural Death Report (UDR) under Section 194 of BNSS, which pertains to police inquiries and reports on suicides and similar cases. This incident was recorded at 1.30 am on Monday, involving a 30-year-old woman named Suganya Sekar from HSR Layout. According to the complaint, Suganya collapsed at her home around 9 pm on June 30, and she was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Later, another UDR under BNSS Section 194 was filed by the Adugodi police at 9 am. This case involved Elumalai, a 54-year-old man found hanging at his residence in Rajendra Nagar early Monday morning. Police suspect suicide, as Elumalai was known to be a habitual drinker and diabetic.
Additionally, the HAL police registered another UDR case under BNSS. Meanwhile, the Varthur police registered an FIR under Sections 318 and 319 of the BNS for cheating and impersonation, along with Section 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer-related offenses.
Statewide Cases and Incident in Hassan
The first statewide case under BNS was reportedly registered at the Hassan rural police station on Monday morning. This case involved a car accident that resulted in the death of 67-year-old Indumathi, a resident of the taluk. Indumathi was traveling from Bengaluru airport when the mishap occurred near Seege Gate in Hassan. She had just returned from a trip to Kashi. The accident happened when the car, driven by Sagar, fell from a bridge, injuring Indumathi’s husband Yogeesh and the driver.
Based on a complaint lodged by Indumathi’s son-in-law, Dr. H S Ravi, the Hassan rural police registered a case under BNS Section 281 for rash and negligent driving and Section 106 for causing death by negligence at 9.15 am.
Conclusion
The swift registration of 80 FIRs on the first day under the new criminal laws in Karnataka underscores the state’s proactive approach to law enforcement. The transition to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam marks a significant shift in the legal landscape, aiming to streamline and modernize the justice system in India. The initial cases, particularly the detailed incidents from Bengaluru and Hassan, highlight the diverse nature of crimes and the comprehensive coverage of the new statutes.
