
Sat Jan 31 20:05:16 UTC 2026: # Jharkhand Congress Leader Exposes Continued Use of Repealed Law in FIRs
The Story:
Amba Prasad, a former MLA and national secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), has publicly revealed that police stations across Jharkhand are still registering First Information Reports (FIRs) under the repealed Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), despite the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) being in effect since July 1, 2024. Prasad made the accusations at a press conference outside the Judicial Academy in Ranchi on January 31, 2026, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter and calling on the Chief Minister, the people of Jharkhand and India, as well as the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court, to take notice. This revelation casts doubt on the functioning of the Hemant Soren government, of which the Congress party is an alliance partner.
Key Points:
- Amba Prasad, a former MLA and AICC national secretary, alleges that Jharkhand police stations are still using the repealed CrPC to register FIRs.
- The BNSS has been in effect since July 1, 2024, replacing the CrPC.
- FIRs registered recently in Hazaribagh district still reference “Section 154 of the CrPC,” when they should legally cite “Section 173 BNSS.”
- Prasad calls the practice a “mockery of legal process,” particularly problematic given the ongoing national-level legal conference at the Jharkhand Judicial Academy.
- A senior officer at Jharkhand Police Headquarters (PHQ) termed the matter serious and stated that it will be investigated while also stressing the fact that all cases are filed under the BNSS.
Key Takeaways:
- The revelation exposes potential systemic issues in the implementation of the BNSS in Jharkhand.
- The continued use of the repealed CrPC raises questions about administrative efficiency, legal understanding, and political oversight within the state government.
- The incident could strain the relationship between the Congress party and the Hemant Soren government, given Prasad’s public criticism.
- The lack of awareness and failure to use the proper forms at law colleges could affect the competence of future legal professionals.