The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed that police officers conducting investigations under Chapter XIII of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, must cover reasonable expenses for individuals summoned to provide case-related information. This mandate is in accordance with Section 179(1) of the BNSS.
An official notification issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti, stated:
“In exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with S.O No. 2506 (E) dated 28.06.2024 of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby notifies that any police officer making an investigation under Chapter XIII of the BNSS, 2023, may, by order in writing, require the attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of a case, as provided under Section 179(1) of the BNSS.”
The notification further specifies that reasonable expenses, detailed in an annexure to the order, must be paid to individuals summoned to attend at locations other than their residence. Police officers are required to maintain proper accounts of these payments, with expenditures charged to Account Head-2055 (49) by the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO).
(Published by Daily Kashmir)
