Delhi Police Adds BNS Section 197 to FIR After India Gate Protest Turns Violent

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday added Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the FIR registered at the Kartavya Path Police Station following a protest that escalated into confrontations near India Gate. The move comes after a group of demonstrators allegedly attempted to block the road and engaged in aggressive behaviour when police intervened.

According to a statement issued by the Delhi Police, the protesters were seen holding posters of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was recently killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh. The police said that when personnel attempted to disperse the crowd and clear the passage, the protesters resisted and resorted to using pepper spray on the officers present at the site.

The police described the use of pepper spray as an attempt to attack law enforcement officials, adding that this necessitated stronger legal action. Section 197 of the BNS pertains to acts obstructing or assaulting public servants during the discharge of their duties, and its addition indicates the gravity with which authorities are treating the incident.