A resident of RT Nagar in Bengaluru has been booked by the Bangalore North Census Circle (BNCC) officials for allegedly verbally abusing census staff who were conducting a survey in the area. The incident occurred when the census team visited the individual's residence to collect data as part of the ongoing census operations.
Legal Action Taken
The BNCC officials registered a case against the accused under Section 11(1) of the Census Act, 1948, which deals with obstruction of census officials, and Sections 223 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 223 pertains to intentional insult or interruption to a public servant sitting in a judicial proceeding, while Section 79 addresses conduct that causes a public nuisance or disturbance.
Details of the Incident
According to officials, the census staff were carrying out their duties in the RT Nagar locality when the accused, whose name has not been disclosed, began using abusive language and refused to cooperate. The staff reported the incident to their superiors, leading to the filing of a formal complaint.
The Census Act, 1948, makes it a punishable offense to obstruct or hinder a census official in the performance of their duties. Offenders can face imprisonment or fines, or both. The BNCC has urged citizens to cooperate with census personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of the enumeration process.
Importance of Census Cooperation
Census data is crucial for planning and policy-making at various levels of government. Authorities have appealed to the public to provide accurate information and treat census staff with respect. This incident highlights the challenges faced by field workers and the legal consequences of non-cooperation.
The case is under investigation, and further legal proceedings will follow as per the provisions of the law.
