CrPC 129→BNSS 148

CrPC 129 to BNSS 148: Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force

Section 129 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 148 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 129 →View BNSS Section 148 →

CrPC 129 to BNSS 148 at a Glance

Section 129 CrPC (Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force) is now Section 148 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 129 to BNSS 148?

From 1 July 2024, Section 129 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 148 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading. Section 148(1) BNSS reads the same as Section 129(1) CrPC. Section 148(2) BNSS reads any person where Section 129(2) CrPC read any male person, and the rest of the sub-section reads the same.

CrPC 129 vs BNSS 148: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section129148
HeadingDispersal of assembly by use of civil forceSame
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 129 and BNSS 148: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 129, CrPC 1973

129. Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force.—(1) Any Executive Magistrate or officer in charge of a police station or, in the absence of such officer in charge, any police officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may command any unlawful assembly, or any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, to disperse; and it shall thereupon be the duty of the members of such assembly to disperse accordingly. (2) If, upon being so commanded, any such assembly does not disperse, or if, without being so commanded, it conducts itself in such a manner as to show a determination not to disperse, any Executive Magistrate or police officer referred to in sub-section (1), may proceed to disperse such assembly by force, and may require the assistance of any male person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such, for the purpose of dispersing such assembly, and, if necessary, arresting and confining the persons who form part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 148, BNSS 2023

148. Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force.—(1) Any Executive Magistrate or officer in charge of a police station or, in the absence of such officer in charge, any police officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may command any unlawful assembly, or any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, to disperse; and it shall thereupon be the duty of the members of such assembly to disperse accordingly. (2) If, upon being so commanded, any such assembly does not disperse, or if, without being so commanded, it conducts itself in such a manner as to show a determination not to disperse, any Executive Magistrate or police officer referred to in sub-section (1), may proceed to disperse such assembly by force, and may require the assistance of any person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such, for the purpose of dispersing such assembly, and, if necessary, arresting and confining the persons who form part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law.

When It Applies: CrPC 129 vs BNSS 148

Under CrPC 129
  1. Under Section 129(1) CrPC, any Executive Magistrate or officer in charge of a police station or, in the absence of such officer in charge, any police officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may command an assembly to disperse.
  2. The assembly under Section 129(1) CrPC is any unlawful assembly, or any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace.
  3. Once an assembly is commanded to disperse under Section 129(1) CrPC, it is the duty of the members of the assembly to disperse accordingly.
  4. Under Section 129(2) CrPC, if the assembly does not disperse upon being commanded, or if, without being commanded, it conducts itself in such a manner as to show a determination not to disperse, the Executive Magistrate or police officer referred to in Section 129(1) CrPC may proceed to disperse it by force.
  5. In dispersing the assembly by force under Section 129(2) CrPC, the Executive Magistrate or police officer may require the assistance of any male person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such for the purpose of dispersing the assembly, and, if necessary, may arrest and confine the persons who form part of it, in order to disperse the assembly or that they may be punished according to law.
Under BNSS 148
  1. Under Section 148(1) BNSS, any Executive Magistrate or officer in charge of a police station or, in the absence of such officer in charge, any police officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may command an assembly to disperse.
  2. The assembly under Section 148(1) BNSS is any unlawful assembly, or any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace.
  3. Once an assembly is commanded to disperse under Section 148(1) BNSS, it is the duty of the members of the assembly to disperse accordingly.
  4. Under Section 148(2) BNSS, if the assembly does not disperse upon being commanded, or if, without being commanded, it conducts itself in such a manner as to show a determination not to disperse, the Executive Magistrate or police officer referred to in Section 148(1) BNSS may proceed to disperse it by force.
  5. In dispersing the assembly by force under Section 148(2) BNSS, the Executive Magistrate or police officer may require the assistance of any person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such for the purpose of dispersing the assembly, and, if necessary, may arrest and confine the persons who form part of it, in order to disperse the assembly or that they may be punished according to law.

What CrPC 129 to BNSS 148 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the Executive Magistrate or police officer dispersing an assembly by force under Section 148(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 may require the assistance of any person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such. Section 129(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read any male person.

FAQs: CrPC 129 to BNSS 148

Where is Section 129 CrPC found from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 129 CrPC is found in Section 148 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 129(1) CrPC is found in Section 148(1) BNSS and Section 129(2) CrPC in Section 148(2) BNSS.

What word differs between Section 129(2) CrPC and Section 148(2) BNSS?▼

Section 129(2) CrPC read may require the assistance of any male person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such. Section 148(2) BNSS reads may require the assistance of any person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such.

Does Section 148(1) BNSS read differently from Section 129(1) CrPC?▼

No. Section 148(1) BNSS and Section 129(1) CrPC read the same, apart from the section number in the heading.

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: 21 Oct 2026 ·