Delhi Police Files First FIR Under New BNS Law for Wrong-Side Driving, Sets Precedent

• Delhi Police registered the first criminal case in any UT for wrong-side driving under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
• The FIR was lodged at Delhi Cantt Police Station on January 3 against Aman from Shahjahanpur, who was driving near Hanuman Mandir red light.
• The case was specifically initiated under Section 281 of the BNS, which addresses rash or negligent driving endangering human life.
• BNS, effective July 1, 2023, replaces the Indian Penal Code; Section 281 carries penalties up to six months' imprisonment or a Rs 1,000 fine.
• This landmark FIR signals a shift towards criminal records for serious traffic infractions, setting a new precedent for enforcement.

Why It Matters: Delhi Police's first BNS FIR for wrong-side driving marks a new era of stricter traffic law enforcement.