The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has brought many big updates to how police handle investigations. It replaces old rules from the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita focuses on using digital tools, better forensic work, helping victims more, making things clear, holding police accountable, and finishing work on time.

This article talks about all the key changes the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita made in the part about investigations.

1. Electronic FIR and Introduction of Zero FIR (Section 173)

One of the biggest updates in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is that people can now share news about a serious crime using electronic messages.

Electronic FIR

Unlike the old rules, Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita lets people give information about a serious crime through electronic communication.

If the information comes electronically, the person who gave it must sign it within three days. After that, it goes on the official record.

Statutory Recognition of Zero FIR

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita clearly adds the idea of Zero FIR. This lets a person report a serious crime at any police station, even if the crime happened somewhere else.

Copy of FIR to Victim

In the past, police gave a free copy of the FIR only to the person who reported it. Section 173(2) now says a free copy must also go to the victim.

Preliminary Enquiry

A new rule, Section 173(3), explains when police can do a preliminary enquiry before putting an FIR on record.

Remedy Against Refusal to Register FIR

Section 173(4) puts it right in the rule that if police do not register information about a serious crime, and nothing happens even after talking to the Superintendent of Police, the person can go to the Magistrate for help.

2. Changes Relating to Non-Cognizable Cases (Section 174)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita makes court checks stronger for smaller cases that are not serious crimes. Section 174(1)(ii) says every police officer must send the daily diary report of all non-cognizable cases to the Magistrate every two weeks. This was not there in the old rules.

For example, if someone reports a small matter like a simple hurt or a minor property dispute (which is non-cognizable), the police must note it down and send the report of all such cases to the Magistrate every fortnight. This helps the court keep an eye on these cases regularly.

3. Investigation by Senior Police Officers (Section 175)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita gives more control to senior officers over investigations.

Investigation by Deputy Superintendent of Police

A new part lets the Superintendent of Police, looking at how serious the case is, ask a Deputy Superintendent of Police to handle the investigation.

Procedure Before Ordering Investigation by Magistrate

Section 175(3) now says the Magistrate must:

• Look at the application that has an affidavit from Section 173(4);
• do any enquiry that seems needed; and
• Listen to what the police officer says, before ordering an investigation. 

The old rules did not have this step-by-step process.

Complaints Against Public Servants

Section 175(4) is a completely new rule that sets out the steps when someone makes a complaint against a public servant.

Under this rule, the Magistrate can order an investigation only after two main things: first, getting a report from the public servant’s senior officer about what happened, and second, listening to what the public servant has to say about the situation. This gives extra protection to public servants so they are not harassed easily for doing their job.

4. Greater Use of Technology and Mandatory Forensic Investigation (Section 176)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita brings in more technology for investigations under Section 176.

Recording Statement of Rape Victim

Police can now record the statement of a rape victim using audio-video electronic ways, including a mobile phone.

Reporting Cases Not Investigated

If police decide not to investigate a case, they must:

• write down the reasons; and
• Send the daily diary report to the Magistrate every fortnight.

In the old rules, sending this report to the Magistrate was not required.

Mandatory Forensic Investigation

A big change is the new Section 176(3). It says police must collect forensic evidence in cases where the punishment can be seven years in jail or more.

There was no such rule in the old system.

5. Protection of Vulnerable Witnesses (Section 179)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (Section 179) adds more types of people who do not have to go to the police station.

Reduction in Age Limit

The top age for men who do not have to come to the police station has come down from 65 years to 60 years.

Addition of Persons with Acute Illness

People who have sudden serious illness are now part of the group that gets this protection.

Voluntary Appearance Permitted

A new part lets these protected people come to the police station on their own if they want to.

6. Important Changes in Recording Confessions and Statements (Section 183)

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (Section 183) adds several protections for recording confessions and statements.

Jurisdiction of Magistrate

Any Magistrate in the district where the case was first reported can record the confession or statement.

Statement of Certain Victims

As far as possible, statements of certain victims listed under Section 183(6)(a) should be recorded by a woman Magistrate. If she is not there, a male Magistrate can do it but only with a woman present.

Conclusion

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has brought many useful changes in the investigation process. It makes police work more modern, transparent, and friendly to victims. These updates help speed up cases, use better technology, and protect ordinary people. Overall, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is a big step towards a fairer and quicker justice system in India.

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