CrPC 131→BNSS 150

CrPC 131 to BNSS 150: Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly

Section 131 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 150 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 131 →View BNSS Section 150 →

CrPC 131 to BNSS 150 at a Glance

Section 131 CrPC (Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly) is now Section 150 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 131 to BNSS 150?

Section 150 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 131 CrPC. Neither section refers to another section by number.

CrPC 131 vs BNSS 150: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section131150
HeadingPower of certain armed force officers to disperse assemblySame

CrPC 131 and BNSS 150: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 131, CrPC 1973

131. Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly.—When the public security is manifestly endangered by any such assembly and no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with, any commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces may disperse such assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and may arrest and confine any persons forming part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law; but if, while he is acting under this section, it becomes practicable for him to communicate with an Executive Magistrate, he shall do so, and shall thenceforward obey the instructions of the Magistrate, as to whether he shall or shall not continue such action.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 150, BNSS 2023

150. Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly.—When the public security is manifestly endangered by any such assembly and no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with, any commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces may disperse such assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and may arrest and confine any persons forming part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law; but if, while he is acting under this section, it becomes practicable for him to communicate with an Executive Magistrate, he shall do so, and shall thenceforward obey the instructions of the Magistrate, as to whether he shall or shall not continue such action.

When It Applies: CrPC 131 vs BNSS 150

Under CrPC 131
  1. Section 131 CrPC applies when the public security is manifestly endangered by any such assembly and no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with.
  2. Any commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces may disperse such assembly with the help of the armed forces under the officer's command.
  3. The officer may arrest and confine any persons forming part of the assembly, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law.
  4. If, while the officer is acting under Section 131 CrPC, it becomes practicable to communicate with an Executive Magistrate, the officer shall do so, and shall thenceforward obey the instructions of the Magistrate as to whether to continue such action.
Under BNSS 150
  1. Section 150 BNSS applies when the public security is manifestly endangered by any such assembly and no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with.
  2. Any commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces may disperse such assembly with the help of the armed forces under the officer's command.
  3. The officer may arrest and confine any persons forming part of the assembly, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law.
  4. If, while the officer is acting under Section 150 BNSS, it becomes practicable to communicate with an Executive Magistrate, the officer shall do so, and shall thenceforward obey the instructions of the Magistrate as to whether to continue such action.

What CrPC 131 to BNSS 150 Means in Practice

Section 131 CrPC has no sub-sections and is found as a whole in Section 150 BNSS. Both provide for dispersal of an assembly by a commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces where no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with.

FAQs: CrPC 131 to BNSS 150

Where is Section 131 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 131 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 150 BNSS.

Is the text of Section 150 BNSS the same as Section 131 CrPC?▼

Section 150 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 131 CrPC. Neither section refers to another section by number.

Does Section 150 BNSS refer to any other section?▼

Section 150 BNSS does not refer to another section by number. Section 131 CrPC did not either.

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: 20 Oct 2026 ·