A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chandigarh to review the newly implemented criminal laws, a significant milestone was reached when the city’s first two convictions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were handed down. The cases represent an early but impactful example of the new law’s implementation, underscoring its potential to expedite legal proceedings.
In the first case, Mohit and Ajay were convicted for snatching ₹1,700 and an Aadhaar card from Shiv Dyal, a victim in Sector 23. The crime, which took place on November 13, was brought to a swift resolution when the victim managed to catch one of the snatchers, leading to the arrest of both men. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the motorcycle used in the crime was stolen. The court found the accused guilty under Sections 304(2), 317(2), and 3(5) of the BNS and sentenced them to one year of rigorous imprisonment (RI), along with a ₹2,000 fine each. The case highlights how the BNS enables quicker resolutions for theft-related crimes.
The second case involved Deepak, a resident of Dadumajra, who was convicted for theft and trespassing at a government house in Sector 16-A. Deepak was caught by Ravinder Singh, a work inspector, on September 1, while attempting to steal electric wires and brass valves. The police arrested him shortly after, and an FIR was filed under Sections 305, 331(3), and 317(2) of the BNS. The court handed down a sentence of one year of RI and a ₹2,000 fine for theft, and two years of RI with a ₹3,000 fine for trespassing. This case exemplifies the BNS’s ability to address crimes involving public property and trespassing with greater speed.
The swift convictions in both cases serve as a clear demonstration of the BNS’s intended purpose to streamline the criminal justice process. The law was designed to ensure quicker trials and more efficient handling of criminal cases, a goal that seems to be taking shape with these initial convictions. The BNS provides a simplified legal framework for offenses that might have otherwise taken months to resolve under the previous legal system.
The timing of these rulings, ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Chandigarh, highlights the government’s push to showcase the progress of the BNS. This could be an important step in reinforcing the public’s trust in the justice system, as well as in strengthening law enforcement mechanisms across the country.
As the BNS continues to be implemented, there is hope that these early examples will encourage a faster resolution of criminal cases across the country, offering more efficient justice for victims and increasing accountability among offenders.
