CrPC to Section Conversion Table | BNSS 2023

CrPC to BNSS: the Section Conversion Table, the Chapter Map, and the Pitfalls of Converting a Citation

This is a reference note. Its purpose is to let a reader move between the two numberings quickly and safely, and it carries no case boxes, because a conversion table is a table and nothing is gained by dressing it as an argument.

One warning before the table. There is no constant offset. The gap between the two numberings widens as the codes proceed — about 19 sections at the start of the investigation chapter, about 46 by the inherent-power provision — because the Sanhita adds sections in some chapters and drops them in others. No arithmetic converts one number into the other.

1. The Chapter Map

Figure 1: Chapter for chapter

2. The Conversion Table

2.1 Preliminary, courts and powers

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Definitions	2	2
Classes of Criminal Courts	6	6
Courts of Session	9	8
Courts of Judicial Magistrates	11	9
Chief Judicial Magistrate	12	10
Public Prosecutors	24	18
Sentences which Magistrates may pass	29	23

2.2 Arrest, processes, summons and warrants

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
When police may arrest without warrant	41	35
Notice of appearance before police officer	41A	35(3)
Person arrested to be informed of grounds and right to bail	50	47
Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours	57	58
Summons, form and service	61 to 69	63 to 71
Warrant of arrest	70	72
Proclamation for person absconding	82	84
Attachment of property of person absconding	83	85
Attachment, forfeiture or restoration of property — new	—	107

2.3 Information to the police and investigation

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Information in cognizable cases — the FIR	154	173
Information in non-cognizable cases	155	174
Police officer’s power to investigate	156	175
Procedure for investigation; forensic visit — new	157	176
Examination of witnesses by police	161	180
Statements to police not to be signed	162	181
Recording of confessions and statements	164	183
Medical examination of the victim of rape	164A	184
Search by police officer; audio-video recording — new	165	185
Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours	167	187
Report of police officer on completion of investigation	173	193
Police to enquire and report on suicide, etc.	174	194

2.4 Jurisdiction, cognizance and commencement

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Ordinary place of inquiry and trial	177	197
Cognizance of offences by Magistrates	190	210
Prosecution for offences against the State	196	215
Prosecution of Judges and public servants — sanction	197	218
Examination of complainant	200	223
Dismissal of complaint	203	226
Issue of process	204	227
Supply of copies to the accused	207	230
Commitment of case to Court of Session	209	232

2.5 The charge and the trials

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Contents of charge	211	234
Alteration of charge	216	239
Separate charges for distinct offences	218	243
Trial before a Court of Session — opening	226	248
Discharge	227	250
Framing of charge	228	251
Judgment of acquittal or conviction	235	258
Warrant cases — police report	238 to 243	261 to 266
Summons cases	251 to 259	274 to 282
Summary trials	260 to 265	283 to 288
Plea bargaining	265A to 265L	289 to 300

2.6 Evidence, general provisions and judgment

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Evidence for prosecution	242	266
Record of evidence	274 to 278	310 to 314
Remarks respecting demeanour of witness	280	315
Record of examination of accused	281	316
Double jeopardy	300	337
Tender of pardon to accomplice	306	343
Compounding of offences	320	359
Withdrawal from prosecution	321	360
Power to examine the accused	313	351
Accused person to be competent witness	315	353
Power to proceed against other persons	319	358
Trial in absentia of proclaimed offender — new	—	356
Court to be open	327	366
Judgment	353	392
Witness protection scheme — new	—	398
Court not to alter judgment	362	403

2.7 Appeals, revision, execution and bail

Subject	CrPC	BNSS
Confirmation of death sentence	366	407
No appeal unless otherwise provided; victim’s appeal	372	413
Appeals from convictions	374	415
Appeal in case of acquittal	378	419
Powers of the Appellate Court	386	427
Suspension of sentence pending appeal; bail	389	430
Reference to High Court	395	436
Calling for records — revision	397	438
High Court’s powers of revision	401	442
Transfer by Supreme Court	406	446
Mercy petition — new	—	472
Power to suspend or remit sentences	432	473
Power to commute sentence	433	474
Restriction on remission or commutation	433A	475
Bail in bailable offences	436	478
Maximum period of undertrial detention	436A	479
Bail in non-bailable offences	437	480
Anticipatory bail	438	482
Special powers of High Court and Court of Session	439	483
Inherent powers of the High Court	482	528
Proceedings in electronic mode — new	—	530
Repeal and savings	484	531

3. Pitfalls

Figure 2: Using a conversion table safely

⚠ The four traps

There is no constant offset. Section 154 CrPC is section 173 BNSS — a gap of 19. Section 482 CrPC is section 528 BNSS — a gap of 46. The gap widens as the codes proceed.

Some numbers have swapped meaning. Section 482 CrPC is the inherent power; section 482 BNSS is anticipatory bail. Section 438 CrPC is anticipatory bail; section 438 BNSS is calling for records in revision. A citation given by number alone, without the code, is now ambiguous and often wrong.

A few provisions have no counterpart. The Sanhita dropped the provisions on Metropolitan Magistrates and added sections which exist nowhere in the Code — sections 107, 356, 398, 472 and 530.

And the text may have changed with the number. Section 479 BNSS corresponds to section 436A CrPC but adds a one-third rule and a multiple-cases bar; section 474 restates the commutation ladder as minimums where the Code fixed a maximum. Always read the new text.

The safe practice is to cite both: “section 528 of the BNSS, 2023, corresponding to section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973”. For some years a court may be hearing matters under both codes, and a citation which does not say which is being used wastes the court’s time and risks a wrong answer.

4. Key Takeaways

The position stated shortly

1. The BNSS runs ahead of the CrPC by a widening margin — roughly 10 sections at the start, about 19 at the FIR provision, about 46 at the inherent-power provision, and 47 at the end.

2. No arithmetic converts one number into the other. A conversion must be looked up, never calculated.

3. The FIR provision moves from section 154 to section 173.

4. Remand moves from section 167 to section 187; the police report from section 173 to section 193.

5. Anticipatory bail moves from section 438 to section 482 — and section 482, which was the inherent power, is now anticipatory bail. The inherent power is section 528.

6. Bail in non-bailable offences moves from 437 to 480; the special powers from 439 to 483; undertrial detention from 436A to 479.

7. Compounding moves from 320 to 359; withdrawal from 321 to 360; examination of the accused from 313 to 351.

8. Five provisions have no counterpart in the Code: sections 107, 356, 398, 472 and 530.

9. And some provisions changed with the number — sections 187, 218, 223, 474 and 479 among them. Always read the new text.

10. The safe practice is to cite both codes, since a court may be hearing matters under each.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a formula for converting a CrPC section number?

No. The gap between the two numberings widens as the codes proceed, because the Sanhita adds sections in some chapters and drops them in others. A conversion must be looked up, never calculated.

Which is the inherent power provision now?

Section 528 of the BNSS. Section 482, which was the inherent power under the CrPC, is now anticipatory bail — which makes a citation by number alone, without naming the code, ambiguous and often wrong.

What is the FIR provision under the BNSS?

Section 173, corresponding to section 154 of the Code. It now expressly permits information to be given by electronic communication and covers the zero FIR.

Which provisions have no counterpart in the CrPC?

Section 107 (attachment, forfeiture or restoration of property derived from criminal activity), section 356 (trial in absentia of a proclaimed offender), section 398 (witness protection scheme), section 472 (mercy petition) and section 530 (proceedings in electronic mode).

Is a corresponding section always identical?

No. Section 479 corresponds to section 436A but adds a one-third rule and a multiple-cases bar; section 474 restates the commutation ladder as minimums where the Code fixed a maximum. The new text must always be read.

How should a provision be cited now?

By naming both — for example, section 528 of the BNSS, 2023, corresponding to section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. For some years courts will be hearing matters under both codes.

Related Topics

The BNSS and the CrPC: a Comparative Study
Repeal and Savings: Section 531, BNSS
Major Changes Introduced by the BNSS, 2023
The Electronic FIR and the Zero FIR: Section 173, BNSS
Inherent Powers of the High Court: Section 528, BNSS
Anticipatory Bail: Section 482, BNSS