Tripura introduces filing of e-FIRs as per new criminal laws, says officials

Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 1 : After the new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita came into effect from July 1, the government of Tripura has made all the arrangements for filing of e-FIRs in all the 88 police stations across the state, senior officials have said.
Filing of e-FIR is one of the key components of the three new criminal laws.
Speaking at a media briefing at DM's conference hall, West Tripura, District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar said, "The new laws have been drafted in such a way that the criminal laws become more victim-centric. Several new things such as videography, e-text and emails are included as evidence. The new laws also speak about time-bound delivery of judicial services. The prime objective of the legal system is to deliver justice to the people and in that whole process, the victim shouldn't get victimised. Apart from that, the punishment should be delivered and it should be done in a specific time frame. All these aspects are addressed through these new laws."
On being asked whether the state is ready to implement the e-FIR filing, the Superintendent of Police West Tripura, Dr Kiran Kumar, said, "CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) has been made available in all the police stations and people can lodge e-FIR using this method."
According to the police official, any kind of electronic gadget can be used for filing e-FIR. "Any electronic device can be used such as a mobile phone or computer to file the FIR. The system is that you have to file the complaint addressing the OC and once it is received, police will take action. If the crime is cognizable, prompt action will be initiated and if the offence is non-cognizable, the normal proceedings will be initiated accordingly," Kumar told reporters.
The three new criminal laws- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), came into effect today. Under this the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the CrPC with Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Indian Evidence Act has been replaced with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws had received the assent by President Droupadi Murmu on December 25, 2023.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has 358 sections (instead of 511 sections of IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the Sanhita, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 crimes. The amount of fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced in six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed in the Act.
Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita has 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the Sanhita and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Sanhita.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam has 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Adhiniyam.