CrPC 122→BNSS 141

CrPC 122 to BNSS 141: Imprisonment in default of security

Section 122 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 141 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 122 →View BNSS Section 141 →

CrPC 122 to BNSS 141 at a Glance

Section 122 CrPC (Imprisonment in default of security) is now Section 141 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 122 to BNSS 141?

Section 122 CrPC is found in Section 141 BNSS from 1 July 2024, with the same heading. Section 141(1)(a) BNSS refers to Section 125 BNSS and Section 136 BNSS where Section 122(1)(a) CrPC referred to Section 106 CrPC and Section 117 CrPC. Section 141(1)(b) BNSS refers to Section 136 BNSS where Section 122(1)(b) CrPC referred to Section 117 CrPC, and reads bond or bail bond where Section 122(1)(b) CrPC read a bond, with or without sureties, a change of form. Section 141(5) BNSS names an Additional Sessions Judge and has no counterpart to the words Assistant Sessions Judge in Section 122(5) CrPC. Section 141(8) BNSS refers to Section 127 BNSS, Section 128 BNSS and Section 129 BNSS where Section 122(8) CrPC referred to Section 108 CrPC, Section 109 CrPC and Section 110 CrPC. Section 141(2) BNSS, Section 141(3) BNSS, Section 141(4) BNSS, Section 141(6) BNSS and Section 141(7) BNSS carry the same words as Section 122(2) CrPC, Section 122(3) CrPC, Section 122(4) CrPC, Section 122(6) CrPC and Section 122(7) CrPC.

CrPC 122 vs BNSS 141: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section122141
HeadingImprisonment in default of securitySame
Sub-sections8 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.106, s.117, s.108, s.109s.125, s.136, s.127, s.128

CrPC 122 and BNSS 141: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 122, CrPC 1973

122. Imprisonment in default of security.—(1) (a) If any person ordered to give security under section 106 or section 117 does not give such security on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences, he shall, except in the case next hereinafter mentioned, be committed to prison, or, if he is already in prison, be detained in prison until such period expires or until within such period he gives the security to the Court or Magistrate who made the order requiring it. (b) If any person after having executed a bond, with or without sureties for keeping the peace in pursuance of an order of a Magistrate under section 117, is proved, to the satisfaction of such Magistrate or his successor-in-office, to have committed breach of the bond, such Magistrate or successor-in-office may, after recording the grounds of such proof, order that the person be arrested and detained in prison until the expiry of the period of the bond and such order shall be without prejudice to any other punishment or forfeiture to which the said person may be liable in accordance with law. (2) When such person has been ordered by a Magistrate to give security for a period exceeding one year, such Magistrate shall, if such person does not give such security as aforesaid, issue a warrant directing him to be detained in prison pending the orders of the Sessions Judge and the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before such Court. (3) Such Court, after examining such proceedings and requiring from the Magistrate any further information or evidence which it thinks necessary, and after giving the concerned person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, may pass such order on the case as it thinks fit: Provided that the period (if any) for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years. (4) If security has been required in the course of the same proceeding from two or more persons in respect of any one of whom the proceedings are referred to the Sessions Judge under sub-section (2) such reference shall also include the case of any other of such persons who has been ordered to give security, and the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) shall, in that event, apply to the case of such other person also, except that the period (if any) for which he may be imprisoned, shall not exceed the period for which he was ordered to give security. (5) A Sessions Judge may in his discretion transfer any proceedings laid before him under sub-section (2) or sub-section (4) to an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge and upon such transfer, such Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge under this section in respect of such proceedings. (6) If the security is tendered to the officer in charge of the jail, he shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order, and shall await the orders of such Court or Magistrate. (7) Imprisonment for failure to give security for keeping the peace shall be simple. (8) Imprisonment for failure to give security for good behaviour shall, where the proceedings have been taken under section 108, be simple, and, where the proceedings have been taken under section 109 or section 110, be rigorous or simple as the Court or Magistrate in each case directs.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 141, BNSS 2023

141. Imprisonment in default of security.—(1) (a) If any person ordered to give security under section 125 or section 136 does not give such security on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences, he shall, except in the case next hereinafter mentioned, be committed to prison, or, if he is already in prison, be detained in prison until such period expires or until within such period he gives the security to the Court or Magistrate who made the order requiring it; (b) if any person after having executed a bond or bail bond for keeping the peace in pursuance of an order of a Magistrate under section 136, is proved, to the satisfaction of such Magistrate or his successor-in-office, to have committed breach of the bond or bail bond, such Magistrate or successor-in-office may, after recording the grounds of such proof, order that the person be arrested and detained in prison until the expiry of the period of the bond or bail bond and such order shall be without prejudice to any other punishment or forfeiture to which the said person may be liable in accordance with law. (2) When such person has been ordered by a Magistrate to give security for a period exceeding one year, such Magistrate shall, if such person does not give such security as aforesaid, issue a warrant directing him to be detained in prison pending the orders of the Sessions Judge and the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before such Court. (3) Such Court, after examining such proceedings and requiring from the Magistrate any further information or evidence which it thinks necessary, and after giving the concerned person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, may pass such order on the case as it thinks fit: Provided that the period (if any) for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years. (4) If security has been required in the course of the same proceeding from two or more persons in respect of any one of whom the proceedings are referred to the Sessions Judge under sub-section (2) such reference shall also include the case of any other of such persons who has been ordered to give security, and the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) shall, in that event, apply to the case of such other person also, except that the period (if any) for which he may be imprisoned, shall not exceed the period for which he was ordered to give security. (5) A Sessions Judge may in his discretion transfer any proceedings laid before him under sub-section (2) or sub-section (4) to an Additional Sessions Judge and upon such transfer, such Additional Sessions Judge may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge under this section in respect of such proceedings. (6) If the security is tendered to the officer in charge of the jail, he shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order, and shall await the orders of such Court or Magistrate. (7) Imprisonment for failure to give security for keeping the peace shall be simple. (8) Imprisonment for failure to give security for good behaviour shall, where the proceedings have been taken under section 127, be simple, and, where the proceedings have been taken under section 128 or section 129, be rigorous or simple as the Court or Magistrate in each case directs.

When It Applies: CrPC 122 vs BNSS 141

Under CrPC 122
  1. Under Section 122(1)(a) CrPC, if any person ordered to give security under Section 106 CrPC or Section 117 CrPC does not give such security on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences, the person shall be committed to prison, or, if already in prison, be detained in prison until such period expires or until within such period the person gives the security.
  2. Under Section 122(1)(b) CrPC, if a person who has executed a bond, with or without sureties, for keeping the peace in pursuance of an order of a Magistrate under Section 117 CrPC is proved, to the satisfaction of such Magistrate or his successor-in-office, to have committed breach of the bond, the Magistrate or successor-in-office may, after recording the grounds of such proof, order that the person be arrested and detained in prison until the expiry of the period of the bond.
  3. Under Section 122(2) CrPC, when a person has been ordered by a Magistrate to give security for a period exceeding one year and does not give such security, the Magistrate shall issue a warrant directing the person to be detained in prison pending the orders of the Sessions Judge.
  4. Under Section 122(3) CrPC the Sessions Judge, after examining the proceedings, requiring from the Magistrate any further information or evidence which it thinks necessary, and giving the concerned person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, may pass such order on the case as it thinks fit.
  5. Under Section 122(4) CrPC, if security has been required in the course of the same proceeding from two or more persons, a reference to the Sessions Judge in respect of any one of them shall also include the case of any other of such persons who has been ordered to give security.
  6. Under Section 122(5) CrPC a Sessions Judge may in his discretion transfer any proceedings laid before him under Section 122(2) CrPC or Section 122(4) CrPC to an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge, who may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge under Section 122 CrPC in respect of such proceedings.
  7. Under Section 122(6) CrPC, if the security is tendered to the officer in charge of the jail, the officer shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order, and shall await the orders of such Court or Magistrate.
Under BNSS 141
  1. Under Section 141(1)(a) BNSS, if any person ordered to give security under Section 125 BNSS or Section 136 BNSS does not give such security on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences, the person shall be committed to prison, or, if already in prison, be detained in prison until such period expires or until within such period the person gives the security.
  2. Under Section 141(1)(b) BNSS, if a person who has executed a bond or bail bond for keeping the peace in pursuance of an order of a Magistrate under Section 136 BNSS is proved, to the satisfaction of such Magistrate or his successor-in-office, to have committed breach of the bond or bail bond, the Magistrate or successor-in-office may, after recording the grounds of such proof, order that the person be arrested and detained in prison until the expiry of the period of the bond or bail bond.
  3. Under Section 141(2) BNSS, when a person has been ordered by a Magistrate to give security for a period exceeding one year and does not give such security, the Magistrate shall issue a warrant directing the person to be detained in prison pending the orders of the Sessions Judge.
  4. Under Section 141(3) BNSS the Sessions Judge, after examining the proceedings, requiring from the Magistrate any further information or evidence which it thinks necessary, and giving the concerned person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, may pass such order on the case as it thinks fit.
  5. Under Section 141(4) BNSS, if security has been required in the course of the same proceeding from two or more persons, a reference to the Sessions Judge in respect of any one of them shall also include the case of any other of such persons who has been ordered to give security.
  6. Under Section 141(5) BNSS a Sessions Judge may in his discretion transfer any proceedings laid before him under Section 141(2) BNSS or Section 141(4) BNSS to an Additional Sessions Judge, who may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge under Section 141 BNSS in respect of such proceedings.
  7. Under Section 141(6) BNSS, if the security is tendered to the officer in charge of the jail, the officer shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order, and shall await the orders of such Court or Magistrate.

Time Limits: CrPC 122 to BNSS 141

Under CrPC 122
  • Under Section 122(1)(a) CrPC the security is to be given on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences.Act text: “on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences”
  • Under Section 122(2) CrPC, when security is ordered for a period exceeding one year, the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before the Court of the Sessions Judge.Act text: “the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before such Court”
  • Under the proviso to Section 122(3) CrPC the period for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years.Act text: “the period (if any) for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years”
  • Under Section 122(6) CrPC the officer in charge of the jail shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order when the security is tendered.Act text: “he shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order”
Under BNSS 141
  • Under Section 141(1)(a) BNSS the security is to be given on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences.Act text: “on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences”
  • Under Section 141(2) BNSS, when security is ordered for a period exceeding one year, the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before the Court of the Sessions Judge.Act text: “the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before such Court”
  • Under the proviso to Section 141(3) BNSS the period for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years.Act text: “the period (if any) for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years”
  • Under Section 141(6) BNSS the officer in charge of the jail shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order when the security is tendered.Act text: “he shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order”

What CrPC 122 to BNSS 141 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, imprisonment in default of security is dealt with in Section 141 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the transfer of proceedings under Section 141(5) BNSS names an Additional Sessions Judge. Before that date it was dealt with in Section 122 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the transfer of proceedings under Section 122(5) CrPC named an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge.

FAQs: CrPC 122 to BNSS 141

Which cross-references differ between Section 122 CrPC and Section 141 BNSS?▼

Section 141(1)(a) BNSS refers to Section 125 BNSS and Section 136 BNSS where Section 122(1)(a) CrPC referred to Section 106 CrPC and Section 117 CrPC. Section 141(1)(b) BNSS refers to Section 136 BNSS where Section 122(1)(b) CrPC referred to Section 117 CrPC. Section 141(8) BNSS refers to Section 127 BNSS, Section 128 BNSS and Section 129 BNSS where Section 122(8) CrPC referred to Section 108 CrPC, Section 109 CrPC and Section 110 CrPC.

Which Judges may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge on transfer under Section 141(5) BNSS?▼

Section 141(5) BNSS names an Additional Sessions Judge. Section 122(5) CrPC named an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge. The bare texts do not say why the words Assistant Sessions Judge do not appear in Section 141(5) BNSS.

Why does Section 141(1)(b) BNSS read bond or bail bond where Section 122(1)(b) CrPC read a bond, with or without sureties?▼

The bare texts do not say why. Section 2(1)(e) BNSS defines a bond as a personal bond or undertaking for release without surety and Section 2(1)(d) BNSS defines a bail bond as an undertaking for release with surety, so the wording is a change of form.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·