Kolkata: Kolkata Police carried out its first arrest under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 (BNS) which replaced the 164-year-old Indian Penal Code from Monday. It involved a case of hurt, in which two groups clashed in the Watgunge area under the port division on Monday.
The cops said that while multiple cases of road accidents got registered — like in the Hastings and Jadavpur police stations — no arrest took place in those cases.
The city police registered 31 FIRs on day one of the BNS getting implemented in the city. This was a fraction as compared to Delhi that registered around 300 cases, which, however, is in line with the city’s daily average.
Police said there were several grey areas that were discovered on day one, leading Lalbazar to issue instructions stating that incidents that occurred prior to July 1 will continue to be registered under the old IPC. Incidents dating from or after July 1 will see cases getting registered under BNS, said senior officers at Lalbazar.
A few cases are likely to be referred to the courts for directions on whether to lodge them under IPC or BNS, stated sources.
Meanwhile, the state saw its first arrest for crime against women under the BNS sections and also involving POCSO. A man, who was employed as a casting director, was arrested for sexually assaulting his own minor daughter. He was arrested under BNS 76/351(3) along with Section 10 of POCSO Act. The accused is known to have supplied junior artists for Bengali films and serials. Police arrested him on Monday night. He was presented before the Baruipur Subdivisional Court on Tuesday.
According to police and family sources, the girl was sleeping at home on Monday afternoon. Her mother was out for work. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused entered the room and locked the door from inside. He then allegedly sexually assaulted her. The wife returned home unexpectedly and caught her husband in the act. She filed a complaint at Narendrapur police station. Based on the complaint, the accused father was arrested.
Police officers said they are relearning the new laws, but are confident to get used to it soon. “It feels awkward now that we have to refer to the law books again, especially due to the sweeping changes in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita that replaces CrPC. We came across several grey areas that were discovered on day one including the process of registering zero FIRs and collecting evidence from the spot. Most police stations have 10-16 IOs and additional technical challenges can slow down investigations. The visit to forensics and even the police doctor will increase too,” said an OC in central Kolkata.