Legal Tools
CrPC to BNSS Converter
Search and convert Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) sections to their corresponding Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023) sections.
The BNSS replaced the CrPC effective July 1, 2024. Cases filed before this date continue under CrPC; new cases use BNSS sections.
CrPC (1973)
Section 154
Information in cognizable cases (FIR)
BNSS (2023)
Section 173
Information in cognizable cases
Electronic FIR filing now permitted. Information can be given by electronic communication.
CrPC (1973)
Section 155
Information as to non-cognizable cases
BNSS (2023)
Section 174
Information in non-cognizable cases
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 156
Police officer's power to investigate cognizable cases
BNSS (2023)
Section 175
Police officer's power to investigate
Substantially similar. Preliminary inquiry provisions clarified.
CrPC (1973)
Section 157
Procedure for investigation
BNSS (2023)
Section 176
Procedure for investigation
Mandatory forensic investigation for offences punishable with 7+ years imprisonment.
CrPC (1973)
Section 161
Examination of witnesses by police
BNSS (2023)
Section 180
Examination of witnesses by police
Audio-video recording of statements now permitted.
CrPC (1973)
Section 164
Recording of confessions and statements
BNSS (2023)
Section 183
Recording of confessions and statements
Audio-video recording mandated for confessions. Statements of victims of sexual offences to be recorded by woman magistrate.
CrPC (1973)
Section 167
Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours
BNSS (2023)
Section 187
Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours
Time-bound investigation: charge sheet within 90 days (life imprisonment offences) or 60 days (others), failing which default bail applies.
CrPC (1973)
Section 169
Release of accused when evidence is deficient
BNSS (2023)
Section 189
Release of accused when evidence is deficient
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 170
Cases to be sent to Magistrate when evidence is sufficient
BNSS (2023)
Section 190
Cases to be sent to Magistrate
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 173
Report of police officer on completion of investigation (Charge Sheet)
BNSS (2023)
Section 193
Report of police officer on completion of investigation
Charge sheet must be filed electronically. Copies to be furnished to accused within 14 days.
CrPC (1973)
Section 41
When police may arrest without warrant
BNSS (2023)
Section 35
When police may arrest without warrant
Additional safeguards: arrest only if offence carries 3+ years punishment, and arrest is necessary to prevent absconding or evidence tampering.
CrPC (1973)
Section 41A
Notice of appearance before police officer
BNSS (2023)
Section 35(3)
Notice of appearance
Integrated into main section. Notice before arrest for offences up to 7 years.
CrPC (1973)
Section 46
How arrest is made
BNSS (2023)
Section 40
How arrest is made
Women cannot be arrested after sunset and before sunrise except in exceptional circumstances with written order of Magistrate.
CrPC (1973)
Section 50
Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest
BNSS (2023)
Section 44
Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and right to bail
Must inform accused of right to bail. Information of arrest must be displayed at police station and district headquarters.
CrPC (1973)
Section 55A
Health and safety of arrested person
BNSS (2023)
Section 51
Health and safety of arrested person
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 57
Person arrested not to be detained more than 24 hours
BNSS (2023)
Section 58
Person arrested not to be detained more than 24 hours
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 436
In what cases bail to be taken (bailable offences)
BNSS (2023)
Section 478
Bail in bailable offences
Substantially similar. First-time offenders for offences up to 3 years entitled to bail.
CrPC (1973)
Section 437
When bail may be taken in non-bailable offences
BNSS (2023)
Section 479
Bail in non-bailable offences
Added: woman or sick/infirm person can be released on bail unless charged with offences punishable by death or life imprisonment.
CrPC (1973)
Section 438
Direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest (anticipatory bail)
BNSS (2023)
Section 482
Direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest
Anticipatory bail provisions retained. Interim bail can be granted pending final hearing.
CrPC (1973)
Section 439
Special powers of High Court or Court of Session regarding bail
BNSS (2023)
Section 483
Special powers of High Court or Court of Session regarding bail
Substantially similar. Hearing on bail application must be concluded within 2 weeks if accused is in custody.
CrPC (1973)
Section 167(2)
Default bail on failure to file charge sheet
BNSS (2023)
Section 187(3)
Default bail
Default bail if charge sheet not filed within 60/90 days. Right to apply within 30 days of expiry of detention period.
CrPC (1973)
Section 440
Amount of bond and reduction thereof
BNSS (2023)
Section 484
Amount of bond and reduction thereof
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 91
Summons to produce document or other thing
BNSS (2023)
Section 94
Summons to produce document or thing
Includes electronic records.
CrPC (1973)
Section 93
When search warrant may be issued
BNSS (2023)
Section 96
When search warrant may be issued
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 100
Persons in charge of closed place to allow search
BNSS (2023)
Section 103
Persons in charge of closed place to allow search
Search to be videographed mandatorily.
CrPC (1973)
Section 102
Power of police officer to seize certain property
BNSS (2023)
Section 106
Power of police officer to seize certain property
Substantially similar with provisions for electronic records.
CrPC (1973)
Section 61
Form of summons
BNSS (2023)
Section 63
Form of summons
Summons may be issued in electronic form.
CrPC (1973)
Section 62
Summons how served
BNSS (2023)
Section 64
Summons how served
Service through electronic means permitted.
CrPC (1973)
Section 70
Form of warrant of arrest
BNSS (2023)
Section 72
Form of warrant of arrest
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 82
Proclamation for person absconding
BNSS (2023)
Section 84
Proclamation for person absconding
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 83
Attachment of property of person absconding
BNSS (2023)
Section 85
Attachment of property of person absconding
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 190
Cognizance of offences by Magistrates
BNSS (2023)
Section 210
Cognizance of offences by Magistrates
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 200
Examination of complainant
BNSS (2023)
Section 223
Examination of complainant
Substantially similar. Examination via audio-video means permitted.
CrPC (1973)
Section 202
Postponement of issue of process
BNSS (2023)
Section 225
Postponement of issue of process
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 204
Issue of process
BNSS (2023)
Section 227
Issue of process
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 211
Contents of charge
BNSS (2023)
Section 233
Contents of charge
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 225
Trial before Court of Session
BNSS (2023)
Section 247
Trial before Court of Session
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 227
Discharge
BNSS (2023)
Section 250
Discharge
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 228
Framing of charge
BNSS (2023)
Section 251
Framing of charge
Charge to be framed within 60 days of first hearing.
CrPC (1973)
Section 232
Acquittal
BNSS (2023)
Section 255
Acquittal
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 233
Entering upon defence
BNSS (2023)
Section 256
Defence evidence
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 239
When accused shall be discharged (warrant cases)
BNSS (2023)
Section 262
Discharge in warrant cases
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 245
When accused shall be acquitted (summons cases)
BNSS (2023)
Section 268
Acquittal in summons cases
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 251
Substance of accusation to be stated (summons trial)
BNSS (2023)
Section 274
Substance of accusation
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 353
Judgment
BNSS (2023)
Section 392
Judgment
Judgment to be delivered within 45 days of completion of arguments. Can be pronounced via electronic means.
CrPC (1973)
Section 354
Language and contents of judgment
BNSS (2023)
Section 393
Language and contents of judgment
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 357
Order to pay compensation
BNSS (2023)
Section 396
Compensation to victims
Enhanced victim compensation provisions. Mandatory compensation in certain offences.
CrPC (1973)
Section 360
Order to release on probation of good conduct
BNSS (2023)
Section 399
Release on probation
Substantially similar with community service as additional option.
CrPC (1973)
Section 362
Court not to alter judgment
BNSS (2023)
Section 401
Court not to alter judgment
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 372
No appeal to lie unless otherwise provided
BNSS (2023)
Section 411
No appeal unless otherwise provided
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 374
Appeals from convictions
BNSS (2023)
Section 413
Appeals from convictions
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 378
Appeal in case of acquittal
BNSS (2023)
Section 417
Appeal against acquittal
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 389
Suspension of sentence pending appeal
BNSS (2023)
Section 428
Suspension of sentence pending appeal
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 397
Calling for records to examine correctness (revision)
BNSS (2023)
Section 436
Calling for records
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 399
Sessions Judge's powers of revision
BNSS (2023)
Section 438
Sessions Judge's power of revision
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 401
High Court's powers of revision
BNSS (2023)
Section 442
High Court's powers of revision
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 125
Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents
BNSS (2023)
Section 144
Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents
Enhanced maintenance provisions. Interim maintenance to be decided within 60 days. Proceedings to be completed within 9 months.
CrPC (1973)
Section 126
Procedure for maintenance orders
BNSS (2023)
Section 145
Procedure for maintenance
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 127
Alteration in allowance
BNSS (2023)
Section 146
Alteration in allowance
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 128
Enforcement of order of maintenance
BNSS (2023)
Section 147
Enforcement of order
Substantially similar with enhanced enforcement mechanisms.
CrPC (1973)
Section 482
Saving of inherent powers of High Court
BNSS (2023)
Section 528
Saving of inherent powers of High Court
Substantially similar. Used for quashing FIRs and criminal proceedings.
CrPC (1973)
Section 468
Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of period of limitation
BNSS (2023)
Section 512
Limitation for taking cognizance
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 311
Power to summon material witness or examine person present
BNSS (2023)
Section 348
Power to summon material witness
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 313
Power to examine the accused
BNSS (2023)
Section 351
Examination of accused
Substantially similar. Statement can be recorded via audio-video means.
CrPC (1973)
Section 319
Power to proceed against other persons appearing to be guilty
BNSS (2023)
Section 358
Power to proceed against other persons
Substantially similar.
CrPC (1973)
Section 265A
Application for plea bargaining
BNSS (2023)
Section 290
Application for plea bargaining
Expanded scope: now available for offences punishable with up to 7 years (previously only compoundable offences).
CrPC (1973)
Section 265B
Guidelines for plea bargaining
BNSS (2023)
Section 291
Guidelines for plea bargaining
Substantially similar with expanded scope.
CrPC (1973)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in CrPC
BNSS (2023) NEW
Section 173(1)
Zero FIR
NEW: FIR can be registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction. Must be transferred to appropriate station within 15 days.
CrPC (1973)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in CrPC
BNSS (2023) NEW
Section 176(2)
Mandatory forensic investigation
NEW: Forensic experts must visit crime scene and collect evidence for offences punishable with 7+ years. Digital forensic evidence to be collected mandatorily.
CrPC (1973)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in CrPC
BNSS (2023) NEW
Section 530
Use of electronic communication
NEW: All trials, inquiries and proceedings may be conducted via audio-video electronic means. Enables virtual courts.
CrPC (1973)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in CrPC
BNSS (2023) NEW
Section 531
Supply of police report and documents in electronic form
NEW: All documents, reports, statements filed in electronic form. Digital case diary mandated.
CrPC (1973)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in CrPC
BNSS (2023) NEW
Section 356
Witness protection scheme
NEW: Statutory recognition of witness protection measures. Court may take steps to protect identity and ensure safety of witnesses.
About This Tool
What Changed
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 replaced the colonial-era Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, restructuring 484 sections into 531. Key changes include mandatory use of electronic communication for summons and notices, video-conferencing for trials, mandatory forensic investigation for offences punishable with 7+ years, Zero FIR provisions, and time-bound investigation and trial procedures.
How to Use
Search by CrPC section number (e.g., “438”), BNSS section number (e.g., “482”), or by keyword (e.g., “bail”, “FIR”, “arrest”). Results show the mapping between old and new sections along with notes on what changed. This tool covers the most commonly referenced sections.