In a major crackdown on New Year's Day, the Chandigarh Police registered a total of ten First Information Reports (FIRs) and apprehended ten individuals across the city. The police action targeted violations under several stringent laws, including the Arms Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Excise Act, the Punjab Police Act, and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police Stations and Case Distribution
The enforcement drive spanned five police stations in the Union Territory. Maloya and Maulijagran police stations were the most active, registering three FIRs each. Following them, the Sector 36 police station registered two cases. Meanwhile, the police stations in Sector 34 and Sector 39 registered one FIR each.
Details of the Arrests and Offenses
The nature of offenses varied from public drinking to possession of narcotics and weapons. In the Maulijagran area, police took action against Aakash, Gagan Saran, and Ram Bahadur for consuming liquor and creating a public nuisance. All three were later released on bail.
Over in the Maloya jurisdiction, Gurpreet Singh and Vikas Kumar were arrested on charges of smuggling liquor. They too were granted bail. In a separate case from the same area, Deepak Kumar, the manager of a local café, was booked for allegedly serving hookah on New Year's night in direct violation of the District Magistrate's orders.
The Sector 34 police arrested Shubham, alias Bread, a 19-year-old resident of Burail, for carrying a knife in a public place.
Sector 36 police dealt with two distinct cases. One FIR was registered against a Nigerian national for possession of crack cocaine balls. Another case was filed against Ravi Kashyap of Sector 41 for consuming alcohol in public.
Finally, in Sector 39, police arrested Shankar, a resident of Sector 56, for the offense of consuming liquor in a public space.
Implications of the Police Drive
This coordinated action by the Chandigarh Police on the first day of the year underscores a zero-tolerance approach towards violations that disrupt public order and safety. The use of multiple acts, including the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, signals a robust legal response to crimes ranging from substance abuse to carrying illegal arms. The arrests for public nuisance related to drinking highlight the police's focus on maintaining civic decorum. These measures are likely part of a broader strategy to deter unlawful activities and ensure a secure start to the new year for the residents of Chandigarh.
