Latest news with #BNSS
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
West Bengal Police Issue SOP For 'Zero FIR' To Ensure Faster Justice; What Does It Say?
Last Updated: Traditionally, many complaints faced delays or outright rejection when filed at police stations outside the jurisdiction of the incident In an important move to streamline police procedures and reduce delays in the registration of criminal cases, the West Bengal police have introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Zero FIR. The new guideline, applicable across all police stations in the state, aims to ensure that cognisable offences can be registered immediately, regardless of where the incident occurred. Traditionally, many complaints faced delays or outright rejection when filed at police stations outside the jurisdiction of the incident. To address this issue, the provision of Zero FIR has been introduced under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. What is a Zero FIR? A Zero FIR is a First Information Report registered at any police station, irrespective of territorial jurisdiction. The FIR is later transferred to the appropriate police station for investigation. This provision ensures victims are not denied justice due to jurisdictional technicalities. Key features of the SOP on Zero FIR: Immediate Registration: Police must accept information about cognizable offences—whether oral, written, or electronic—without delay. If the information is received electronically, the informant must visit the station within three days to sign the complaint. 24-Hour Transfer Deadline: Registered Zero FIRs must be transferred to the concerned police station within 24 hours. All physical documents and evidence must be sent within 48 hours. Strict Monitoring and Accountability: Each police station must maintain a 'Zero FIR Conversion Register." Any refusal to register an FIR based on jurisdiction will be considered negligence and may attract penalties under the new law. Nodal Officers: Every district (SP/CP) must appoint a nodal officer to oversee timely registration, transfer, and conversion of Zero FIRs. This SOP, issued under Section 173(1) of the BNSS, 2023, reflects a nationwide effort to promote victim-centric policing and ensure accountability in law enforcement. Experts Weigh In Legal experts and police reform advocates have welcomed the move, saying the new SOP will make filing FIRs easier and more accessible for ordinary citizens. 'People often don't know which police station has jurisdiction over their complaint. This reform allows them to approach any police station without hesitation," said a senior legal expert. 'It will especially benefit victims in remote or urgent situations who might otherwise be turned away." With the implementation of the Zero FIR SOP, the West Bengal police are expected to significantly reduce delays in the registration of criminal cases and improve public trust in the policing system. First Published: June 20, 2025, 20:26 IST
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Prohibitory orders over communal tension in Paonta villages extended till June 26
Prohibitory orders imposed in the villages of Paonta Sahib area of Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district due to apprehensions of a communal flare-up has been extended till June 26, officials said on Friday. Two groups had clashed on June 13 over elopement of a Hindu-Muslim couple. Due to 'prevailing communal tension and volatile law and order situation' prohibitory orders already in force since June 13 in five villages -- Kiratpur, Malion, Fatehpur, Missarwala and Majra -- under the Majra police station in Poanta subdivision, has been extended till June 26 by district magistrate (DM) Priyanka Verma, an order issued on Thursday night said. According to the order issued under Section 163 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, there will be a complete ban on the assembly of five or more persons, carrying lethal weapons, public rally, procession or hunger strike, carrying any kind of inflammable material, pelting stones or any objectionable material in public places and delivering inflammatory speeches or communal or anti-state speeches within the boundaries of these villages. The DM said that she has received a report from district police chief Nishchint Singh Negi that despite earlier preventive measures, the law and order situation remains volatile due to communal tensions, including recent incidents of arrest and inflammatory public speeches by the political leaders in the vicinity. On June 13, prohibitory orders were imposed till June 19 after an incident of maintain law and order, police resorted to lathicharge and more than ten people, including police and women, were injured. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case so far, while the BJP state chief Rajiv Bindal and BJP MLA from Poanta, Sukhram Chaudhary have been booked for attempted murder. They have secured interim relief.
News18
7 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Smiling Is No Crime': Patna HC Quashes Case Against Nitish Kumar Over National Anthem Conduct
Last Updated: The complaint, filed by one Vikash Paswan, accused CM Kumar of talking to a person next to him and performing a 'pranaam' with a smiling face during the National Anthem. The Patna High Court has quashed criminal proceedings initiated against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly insulting the National Anthem during the inauguration of the World Cup Sepak Takra at Patliputra Stadium in March 2025. The complaint, filed by one Vikash Paswan, accused CM Kumar of talking to a person next to him and performing a 'pranaam' with a smiling face during the National Anthem, which the complainant claimed violated Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The matter snowballed after a magistrate in Begusarai took cognizance, issuing a notice against Kumar as a 'proposed accused.' However, the bench of Justice Chandra Shekhar Jha termed the entire complaint and subsequent proceedings 'baseless" and politically motivated. Firstly, the high court noted that Section 223 of the BNSS provides that while taking cognizance of an offence, complainant shall be examined upon oath and the witnesses present, except in certain exceptional situations. However, in the present matter, the Magistrate proceeded to issue notice to the CM without examining the complainant on oath. It, therefore, held the findings of the Magistrate 'unfounded and misconceived". Court clarified that although the Magistrate had held that the CM's act was distinguished from his official duties, hence he was prima facie not treated as a public servant rendering Section 218 of the BNSS inapplicable, but it was a fact that Kumar was present at the inaugural function in the capacity of Chief Minister. 'If the petitioner was not the Chief Minister, he had no occasion to inaugurate the event and, therefore, his presence at the inaugural event, as aforesaid, cannot be distinguished by saying that his participation was not in capacity of a public servant as to import the protection of section 218 of the BNSS," court said. Secondly, court noted that the complainant himself had stated that the CM was standing and doing 'Pranaam" with a smiling face. 'This admitted conduct of the petitioner shows only high respect for the national anthem having a smiling face at the time of singing of the national anthem, merely folding hand in 'Pranaam Mudra' in standing position and 'smiling face' cannot be construed by any prudent imagination that it was the insult of the 'National Anthem'," court opined. Lastly, on the allegation that CM Kumar was disturbing the person who was standing next to him in the row, court said that this person could be the best witness, but the name of such a person was not disclosed in the complaint petition, which made the allegation completely 'baseless and frivolous, just to gain cheap popularity in politics by tarnishing the image of the petitioner". Conclusively, court held that the entire complaint, along with the notice issued by the Magistrate, was contrary to established principles of law, as legal provisions available under sections 223 & 226 of the BNSS had also been ignored. Therefore, it quashed the entire complaint with notice and the consequential proceedings.
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Himachal Pradesh: Prohibitory orders over communal tension in Paonta villages extended till June 26
NAHAN (HP): Prohibitory orders imposed in the villages of Paonta Sahib area of Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district due to apprehensions of a communal flare-up has been extended till June 26, officials said on Friday. Two groups had clashed on June 13 over elopement of a Hindu-Muslim couple. Due to "prevailing communal tension and volatile law and order situation" prohibitory orders already in force since June 13 in five villages -- Kiratpur, Malion, Fatehpur, Missarwala and Majra -- under the Majra police station in Poanta subdivision, has been extended till June 26 by District Magistrate Priyanka Verma, an order issued on Thursday night said. According to the order issued under Section 163 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, there will be a complete ban on the assembly of five or more persons, carrying lethal weapons, public rally, procession or hunger strike, carrying any kind of inflammable material, pelting stones or any objectionable material in public places and delivering inflammatory speeches or communal or anti-state speeches within the boundaries of these villages.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Amit Shah To Visit Chhattisgarh On June 22-23
Last Updated: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that 'Bhoomi poojan' for the Chhattisgarh state forensic lab will also be done during Amit Shah's visit. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said on Thursday that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the state on June 22-23 and gift the campus of the National Forensic Science University to Chhattisgarh. Speaking to the media, Sharma said that 'Bhoomi poojan' for the Chhattisgarh state forensic lab will also be done during Amit Shah's visit. 'Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Chhattisgarh on 22-23. He will gift the National Forensic Science University to the state of Chhattisgarh. The state government has allotted 40 acres of land for setting up a National Forensic Science University campus in Naya Raipur. Forensics are of great importance in the three new laws that have come into existence (BNS, BNSS, and BSA). Bhoomi poojan for the Chhattisgarh state forensic lab will also be done. He will also meet the relatives of Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Giripunje," Vijay Sharma said. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Girpunje was killed in an IED blast in Sukma's Konta area. Recently, Amit Shah said that the country's criminal justice system is entering a new era, underlining the importance of strong forensic institutions to ensure a secure, transparent, and evidence-based framework. Shah inaugurated the new building of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) at Rajarhat in Kolkata on June 1. In his address after the inauguration, Shah said, 'The Indian government is creating a secure, transparent and evidence-based criminal justice system….it is necessary that those who stop crime should be two steps ahead of the criminals. Our criminal justice system is entering a new era." He highlighted that eight such institutions have already been established nationwide, with eight more planned, emphasizing that graduates from these colleges will play a vital role in strengthening the state's law and order. 'We have extended help to every state to establish a forensic van in every district. Many states have expanded their forensic labs. We had already established the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in 2020. Sixteen institutions have been approved, eight have already been established, and the remaining eight are in process. We have already completed the creation of trained human resources. I believe the new students will contribute to our law and order," he added.
