- Section 163 imposed for two months
Bhopal: In a proactive move to maintain law and order, Harinarayan Chari Mishra the Police Commissioner of Bhopal has invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Effective from January 6, 2026, these prohibitory orders will remain in force for the next two months across the urban district to ensure public safety and communal harmony.
= Mandatory permissions for public events
Under the new mandate, organizers must obtain prior official permission for any form of public gathering, including protests, rallies, processions, and torch marches (Mashal Juloos). This also applies to sit-ins, memorandum submissions, and the picketing of government or private buildings. Unauthorized events will face immediate legal action.
= Zero tolerance for communal incitement
The order strictly prohibits speeches, publications, or organized activities that could hurt religious sentiments or incite communal tension. Authorities have warned that any individual or group found disrupting the city’s social fabric will be dealt with severely.
= Ban on weapons and explosives
A total ban has been placed on the possession and transport of firearms, explosives, and sharp-edged weapons in public spaces. Additionally, the order clarifies that organizers will be held financially and legally liable for any damage caused to government or public property during permitted events.
Violations of these directives will attract punitive measures under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, ensuring that the city remains a secure environment for all residents.
