Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of India's legal framework concerning citizen safety and security. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is not merely a legal document; it is a testament to our collective. commitment to a safer and more just society. It encompasses a wide range of provisions, from defining new offences and prescribing appropriate punishments to outlining procedures for investigation, trial, and rehabilitation. Its holistic approach ensures that every aspect of citizen security is addressed with clarity and precision.

The BNSS, 2023, represents an advancement over previous legal guidelines, including the landmark Judgment of Lalita Kumari, by expanding the scope and detailing the procedures for preliminary inquiries. It mandates that these inquiries be completed within fourteen days and require prior permission from a Deputy Superintendent of Police, thereby enhancing oversight and accountability. Standard Operating Procedure (S.O.P.) for Preliminary Enquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (B.N.S.S.), 2023.

The provisions for preliminary enquiries under the BNSS, 2023, represent an evolution from the guidelines set forth in the Lalita Kumari Judgment. While the Lalita Kumari Judgment mandated that FIR must be registered, if the information discloses a cognizable offence and allowed preliminary enquiries only to determine if a cognizable offence is revealed, the BNSS, 2023, expands this scope.

The Apex Court in Lalita Kumari Judgment also directed that "in cases where preliminary enquiry ends in closing the complaint, a copy of the entry of such closure must be supplied to the complainant forthwith and not later than one week.