You spent years learning the CrPC by number. "File a 438." "Move a 439 in the Sessions Court." "This needs a 482 in the High Court." Then, on 1 July 2024, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), and nearly every one of those numbers changed.
The procedure itself is mostly the same. The numbers are not. And some old numbers now point to something completely different. The classic slip in court corridors today: "482" for quashing. Under the BNSS, Section 482 is anticipatory bail. Quashing is Section 528.
This page is meant to sit open on your phone in the court corridor, or printed on your chamber table. It gives you:
- which code applies to your matter,
- a section-wise CrPC to BNSS table, arranged the way a case actually moves, from arrest to appeal,
- the numbers that now mean something else, and
- the few changes in substance that you will actually argue.
For the substantive offences, use the companion BNS vs IPC comparison chart or look up a single section in the free IPC to BNS converter, which works in both directions.
Which code applies: CrPC or BNSS?
Before you look up a single section, settle this. Get it wrong and the caption itself is defective.
Section 531 of the BNSS repeals the CrPC but keeps it alive for proceedings that were already pending. Under Section 531(2)(a), any appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation pending immediately before 1 July 2024 continues under the CrPC.
| Situation | Procedure that applies |
|---|---|
| FIR registered on or after 1 July 2024 | BNSS |
| Investigation, inquiry or trial pending on 1 July 2024 | CrPC, under Section 531(2)(a) BNSS |
| Appeal or application already pending on 1 July 2024 | CrPC |
| New bail or anticipatory bail application filed after 1 July 2024 in an older FIR | Read differently by different High Courts. The Meghalaya High Court has held that new applications must be made under the BNSS. Check the current position in your High Court. |
One more trap: procedure and offence follow different rules. The procedural code depends on the rule above. The offence depends on the law in force on the date of the offence. So an FIR registered today for a 2023 cheating will usually say IPC 420, while the bail application in it is filed under the BNSS. Both are correct.
Full CrPC to BNSS conversion table
The tables follow the life of a criminal matter: arrest, FIR, investigation, cognizance, trial, bail, and then appeal. Jump to the stage you are drafting for.
Looking up one section? Use the free CrPC to BNSS converter. Enter any CrPC section, or a BNSS section to go back the other way. It covers every section in the official UP Police and CAPT Bhopal correspondence tables and shows the official note on what changed.
A word of caution: treat this as a finding aid, not a citation. Before a section number goes into a filing, check it against the bare text of the BNSS. Sub-section numbering has moved in several places.
Arrest and rights of the arrested person
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest without warrant | 41 | 35 |
| Notice of appearance before police | 41A | 35(3) |
| Arrest on refusal to give name and address | 42 | 39 |
| Arrest by a private person | 43 | 40 |
| How arrest is made | 46 | 43 |
| Informing the arrested person of grounds and right to bail | 50 | 47 |
| Informing a relative or friend of the arrest | 50A | 48 |
| Medical examination of the arrested person | 54 | 53 |
| Not to be detained for more than 24 hours | 57 | 58 |
FIR and investigation
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Information in cognizable cases (FIR) | 154 | 173 |
| Information in non-cognizable cases | 155 | 174 |
| Police power to investigate; Magistrate's direction to investigate | 156 / 156(3) | 175 / 175(3) |
| Procedure for investigation | 157 | 176 |
| Police power to require attendance of witnesses | 160 | 179 |
| Examination of witnesses by police | 161 | 180 |
| Statements to police not to be signed; use in evidence | 162 | 181 |
| Recording of confessions and statements by Magistrate | 164 | 183 |
| Search by police officer | 165 | 185 |
| Remand when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours; default bail | 167 | 187 |
| Release when evidence is deficient | 169 | 189 |
| Case diary | 172 | 192 |
| Police report on completion of investigation (chargesheet) | 173 | 193 |
| Police inquiry into suicide and similar deaths (inquest) | 174 | 194 |
Cognizance, complaint and commencement of proceedings
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizance of offences by Magistrates | 190 | 210 |
| Cognizance by the Court of Session | 193 | 213 |
| Prosecution of judges and public servants (sanction) | 197 | 218 |
| Examination of the complainant | 200 | 223 |
| Postponement of issue of process | 202 | 225 |
| Issue of process | 204 | 227 |
| Supply of copies of police report and documents to the accused | 207 | 230 |
| Commitment of the case to the Court of Session | 209 | 232 |
Charge, discharge and trial
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Alteration of charge | 216 | 239 |
| Discharge in a sessions trial | 227 | 250 |
| Framing of charge in a sessions trial | 228 | 251 |
| Discharge in a warrant case on a police report | 239 | 262 |
| Framing of charge in a warrant case | 240 | 263 |
| Substance of accusation in a summons case | 251 | 274 |
| Power to try summarily | 260 | 283 |
| Plea bargaining: application | 265A | 289 |
| Evidence to be taken in the presence of the accused | 273 | 308 |
| Double jeopardy | 300 | 337 |
| Power to postpone or adjourn proceedings | 309 | 346 |
| Power to summon a material witness | 311 | 348 |
| Examination of the accused | 313 | 351 |
| Power to proceed against other persons appearing guilty | 319 | 358 |
| Compounding of offences | 320 | 359 |
| Withdrawal from prosecution | 321 | 360 |
| Judgment | 353 | 392 |
Bail and bonds
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Bail in bailable offences | 436 | 478 |
| Maximum period of detention of an undertrial | 436A | 479 |
| Bail in non-bailable offences | 437 | 480 |
| Anticipatory bail | 438 | 482 |
| Special powers of the High Court or Sessions Court regarding bail | 439 | 483 |
| Amount of bond and its reduction | 440 | 484 |
| Bond of the accused and sureties | 441 | 485 |
| Forfeiture of bond | 446 | 491 |
For drafting, see the regular bail application format under the BNSS and the anticipatory bail format under Section 482 BNSS.
Maintenance and public order
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance of wives, children and parents | 125 | 144 |
| Procedure in maintenance proceedings | 126 | 145 |
| Alteration in allowance | 127 | 146 |
| Enforcement of the maintenance order | 128 | 147 |
| Security for keeping the peace | 107 | 126 |
| Conditional order for removal of nuisance | 133 | 152 |
| Urgent orders in cases of nuisance or apprehended danger | 144 | 163 |
| Dispute about land or water likely to cause breach of peace | 145 | 164 |
Filing a maintenance case? Use our Section 144 BNSS maintenance application format, with the interim maintenance application and the Rajnesh v. Neha affidavit.
Compensation, appeals, revision and transfer
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Order to pay compensation | 357 | 395 |
| Victim compensation scheme | 357A | 396 |
| No appeal except as provided; victim's right of appeal | 372 | 413 |
| Appeals from convictions | 374 | 415 |
| Appeal in case of acquittal | 378 | 419 |
| Suspension of sentence pending appeal; release on bail | 389 | 430 |
| Calling for records to exercise powers of revision | 397 | 438 |
| High Court's powers of revision | 401 | 442 |
| Supreme Court's power to transfer cases | 406 | 446 |
| High Court's power to transfer cases | 407 | 447 |
Property, limitation and inherent powers
| Subject | CrPC, 1973 | BNSS, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Custody and disposal of property pending trial | 451 | 497 |
| Procedure by police on seizure of property | 457 | 503 |
| Bar to taking cognizance after the period of limitation | 468 | 514 |
| Extension of the period of limitation | 473 | 519 |
| Saving of inherent powers of the High Court (quashing) | 482 | 528 |
Numbers that now mean something else
These are the ones that cause returned filings and awkward moments before the Bench. A senior says "144" and means a prohibitory order. Your new junior hears maintenance. Both are right, under different codes.
| You may hear | Under the CrPC it meant | Under the BNSS it means | Where the old provision is now |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Section 482" | Inherent powers of the High Court (quashing) | Anticipatory bail | Section 528 BNSS |
| "Section 438" | Anticipatory bail | Calling for records for revision | Section 482 BNSS |
| "Section 144" | Prohibitory orders | Maintenance of wives, children and parents | Section 163 BNSS |
| "Section 125" | Maintenance | Security for keeping the peace on conviction | Section 144 BNSS |
| "Section 173" | Police report (chargesheet) | FIR | Section 193 BNSS |
So when someone in the chamber says "file a 482", ask one question before you open Word: anticipatory bail or quashing? Our guide on citing the new criminal laws in court explains how to cite the new provisions next to the old ones.
Key changes in substance, not just numbering
For most sections, only the number moved, and your old case law still applies. The provisions below are different: their text changed in ways you will notice at the police station, in remand court and at the bail hearing. Read the enacted section before you argue any of them.
FIR: Section 173 BNSS
- Information may be given at any police station, whatever the area where the offence was committed (the "zero FIR"), and it may be given by electronic communication, which must be signed within three days.
- For offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, the officer may, with prior permission, conduct a preliminary enquiry within 14 days to decide whether a prima facie case exists.
- The informant or victim gets a copy of the FIR free of cost.
Magistrate's direction to investigate: Section 175(3) BNSS
An application to the Magistrate, which used to be under Section 156(3) CrPC, must now be supported by an affidavit, and must follow a complaint to the Superintendent of Police under Section 173(4). The Magistrate may make an enquiry and consider the police officer's submissions before directing investigation.
Remand: Section 187 BNSS
The total of 15 days of police custody can now be taken in parts at any time during the first 40 days (for offences with a remand ceiling of 60 days) or the first 60 days (for those with a 90-day ceiling). The default-bail periods of 60 and 90 days continue: see how to count them in our default bail guide. See also our detailed guide to police remand under Section 187 BNSS.
Undertrial detention: Section 479 BNSS
A first-time offender who has served one-third of the maximum sentence for the offence is to be released on bond. This benefit does not apply to offences punishable with death or life imprisonment, and the section also limits release where more than one offence or case is pending against the person.
Anticipatory bail: Section 482 BNSS
The section omits the old Section 438(6) CrPC, which was used to bar anticipatory bail for certain offences under some state amendments. It also does not reproduce the list of factors in Section 438(1) CrPC, so the factors developed in case law remain the guide.
Complaint cases and sanction: Sections 223 and 218 BNSS
- Section 223: the Magistrate cannot take cognizance of a complaint without giving the accused an opportunity of being heard.
- Section 218: where the government does not decide a request for sanction to prosecute a public servant within 120 days, sanction is deemed to have been accorded.
New timelines in trial
| Step | BNSS provision | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Supply of police report and documents to the accused and victim | 230 | Within 14 days of production or appearance |
| Commitment to the Court of Session | 232 | Within 90 days of cognizance, extendable to 180 days for reasons in writing |
| Discharge application in a sessions trial | 250 | Within 60 days of commitment (the Kerala High Court has held this period directory) |
| Framing of charge in a sessions trial | 251 | Within 60 days of the first hearing on charge |
| Judgment in a sessions trial | 258 | Within 30 days of the conclusion of arguments, extendable to 45 days for reasons recorded in writing |
| Adjournments | 346 | Not more than two adjournments at a party's request where circumstances are beyond its control |
CrPC to BNSS in Hindi: the terms used in district courts and police stations
In many district courts and almost every police station, these conversions are discussed in Hindi. Here are the same key sections with the Hindi terms you will see in FIRs, orders and applications (बीएनएसएस की धाराएँ):
| Hindi term | English | CrPC (पुरानी धारा) | BNSS (नई धारा) |
|---|---|---|---|
| प्रथम सूचना रिपोर्ट (एफआईआर) | FIR | 154 | 173 |
| गिरफ्तारी | Arrest without warrant | 41 | 35 |
| रिमांड / डिफ़ॉल्ट जमानत | Remand / default bail | 167 | 187 |
| आरोप पत्र (चार्जशीट) | Chargesheet | 173 | 193 |
| जमानत | Bail in non-bailable offences | 437 | 480 |
| जमानत (सत्र न्यायालय / उच्च न्यायालय) | Bail by Sessions Court / High Court | 439 | 483 |
| अग्रिम जमानत | Anticipatory bail | 438 | 482 |
| भरण-पोषण | Maintenance | 125 | 144 |
| पुनरीक्षण | Revision | 397 / 401 | 438 / 442 |
| एफआईआर रद्द करने की याचिका (अंतर्निहित शक्तियाँ) | Quashing (inherent powers) | 482 | 528 |
How to update your drafts and office precedents
Every chamber has a folder of old bail applications, quashing petitions and replies that get copied and edited. Those precedents are where CrPC numbers survive longest. Here is how to clean them up:
- Fix the caption first. Check the date of the FIR or of the pending proceeding, apply the Section 531 rule, and caption the application under the right code.
- Convert every procedural reference in the body. Old precedents carry CrPC numbers in the prayer, the grounds and the verification. A search for "Cr.P.C." in your document catches most of them.
- Cite both numbers in transition matters. In arguments, "Section 483 BNSS (corresponding to Section 439 CrPC)" saves the Bench a lookup and shows that the precedents you rely on still apply.
- Recheck the case law. A judgment on Section 438 CrPC usually still guides Section 482 BNSS, but say so, and watch for provisions whose text changed.
- Keep the offence sections separate. Pre-1 July 2024 offences stay under the IPC even when the procedure is under the BNSS.
Do it faster with Juniorlawyer
The FIR arrives on WhatsApp at 10 at night, often a blurry photo in Hindi, and the bail matter is listed the next morning. That is the moment Juniorlawyer is built for. It reads the FIR, identifies the applicable code, and drafts bail, anticipatory bail and other criminal applications with BNSS citations, including the corresponding CrPC section where the matter needs it. You can:
- upload an FIR, including a Hindi FIR photo, and get a first-draft bail application,
- turn the FIR into structured bail grounds under the BNSS, and
- start from the free bail application and anticipatory bail templates.
Every draft is a starting point for your review, not a substitute for it.
For more explainers on the new criminal laws, see our overview of the 2024 criminal law reforms or browse the legal guides library.