CrPC to BNSS Chart: Key Sections and the Reused-Number Traps

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) from 1 July 2024 (PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs). The bigger risk is not the renumbering itself. Some old CrPC numbers now mean something completely different under BNSS.

Educational material, not legal advice. Check the current text on India Code before relying on it in court.

CrPC to BNSS conversion table

• CrPC 41A → BNSS 35(3)–(6): Notice of appearance before police officer
• CrPC 125 → BNSS 144: Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents
• CrPC 144 → BNSS 163: Order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger
• CrPC 154 → BNSS 173: Information in cognizable cases (FIR)
• CrPC 156 → BNSS 175: Police officer's power to investigate cognizable case
• CrPC 161 → BNSS 180: Examination of witnesses by police
• CrPC 164 → BNSS 183: Recording of confessions and statements
• CrPC 167 → BNSS 187: Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours
• CrPC 173 → BNSS 193: Report of police officer on completion of investigation
• CrPC 436 → BNSS 478: In what cases bail to be taken
• CrPC 436A → BNSS 479: Maximum period for which undertrial prisoner can be detained
• CrPC 437 → BNSS 480: When bail may be taken in case of non-bailable offence
• CrPC 438 → BNSS 482: Direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest
• CrPC 439 → BNSS 483: Special powers of High Court or Court of Session regarding bail
• CrPC 482 → BNSS 528: Saving of inherent powers of High Court
• CrPC 484 → BNSS 531: Repeal and savings

The reused-number traps

• 482: In CrPC: Inherent powers of the High Court (now BNSS 528). In BNSS: Anticipatory bail (was CrPC 438).
• 173: In CrPC: Police report on completion of investigation (now BNSS 193). In BNSS: FIR / information in cognizable cases (was CrPC 154).
• 144: In CrPC: Urgent orders in nuisance or apprehended danger (now BNSS 163). In BNSS: Maintenance of wives, children and parents (was CrPC 125).

"Section 482" on its own is now ambiguous, so always name the code: "Section 528 BNSS" or "Section 482 CrPC".

Two text points worth knowing

• BNSS 528 reads: "Nothing in this Sanhita shall be deemed to limit or affect the inherent powers of the High Court to make such orders as may be necessary to give effect to any order under this Sanhita, or to prevent abuse of the process of any Court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice."
• BNSS 482(4) says nothing in the section applies to arrest on accusation of an offence under section 65 and sub-section (2) of section 70 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
• BNSS 173(1) allows information about a cognizable offence to be given "irrespective of the area where the offence is committed", orally or by electronic communication.

CrPC or BNSS for pending matters?

Under BNSS section 531(2)(a), any appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation pending immediately before the BNSS came into force is to be disposed of, continued, held or made under the CrPC, as if the BNSS had not come into force. How this applies to a fresh petition arising from an older FIR depends on the facts and current case law, so check before filing.

State amendments can change the position locally. For example, the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026 (L.C. Bill No. XVII of 2026), introduced in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on 3 July 2026, proposes changes to BNSS sections 173 and 482. It is a Bill, not law: we have not confirmed that it has been passed or has received assent. If you practise in a state with its own amendment, check the current state position.

Full charts and verification practice

For the complete CrPC to BNSS chart with BNSS flowcharts, see the LegalSkool New Criminal Laws notes (https://legalskool.store/notes). For a method to check AI-suggested section numbers against the bare act, see AI Vakeel (https://legalskool.store/aivakeel).

Related: IPC to BNS conversion table (https://legalskool.store/blog/ipc-to-bns-conversion-table) · Anticipatory bail under BNSS (https://legalskool.store/blog/anticipatory-bail-bnss-ai-mistakes)

FAQ

What is CrPC 482 in BNSS? Section 528 BNSS (saving of inherent powers of the High Court).

What is CrPC 438 in BNSS? Section 482 BNSS (direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest).

What is BNSS section 482? Anticipatory bail. Inherent powers are now in BNSS 528.

What is CrPC 154 in BNSS? Section 173 BNSS (information in cognizable cases).

What is CrPC 125 in BNSS? Section 144 BNSS (maintenance of wives, children and parents).

Sources

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (No. 46 of 2023), Gazette of India Extraordinary, 25 Dec 2023, CG-DL-E-25122023-250884: https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-04/250884_2_english_01042024.pdf
• UP Police, Corresponding Section Table of BNSS: https://uppolice.gov.in/site/writereaddata/siteContent/Three%20New%20Major%20Acts/202407031502194192BNSS2023-20-45.pdf
• PIB (MHA), "New Criminal Laws", 10 Dec 2024: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2082757 (page verified 13 Oct 2026: MHA, posted 10 Dec 2024)
• BNSS (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026, L.C. Bill No. XVII of 2026 (PRS copy): https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_states/maharashtra/2026/LCBill17of2026MH.pdf