As the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) came into effect from Monday (July 1) replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, multiple FIRs have been registered against street vendors across the country. In Gujarat, at least two FIRs have been reportedly registered against street vendors while an FIR was registered in Delhi against a street vendor and later cancelled after the move was widely criticised on social media. Similarly, in North Goa an FIR was registered against a coconut seller. https://thewire.in/law/forcibly-passed-after-suspending-146-mps-says-opposition-as-new-criminal-laws-comes-into-effect
Notably, all the eight cases pertain to minor crimes, and a majority of the accused are street vendors, counted amongst the underprivileged sections of the society.
Highlighting the gravity of the matter, the Karnataka Pragatipara Beedhi Vyaparigala Sangha (affiliated to the All India Central Council of Trade Unions) wrote in a press statement: “Street vendors do not have the wherewithal to go and challenge FIRs. Registering such arbitrary FIRs will have a chilling effect on street vending. In the earlier IPC this section carried a fine of Rs 200. Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, it now carries a fine of Rs 5,000. Under the earlier IPC, police used this provision to harass vendors. Street vendors who cannot afford to undergo trial, attend court and miss business would pay Rs 200 fine so as to avoid any issues. Under the new criminal laws they will now have to pay Rs 5000 and this will discourage people from vending itself.”
2/07/2024