CrPC 148→BNSS 167

CrPC 148 to BNSS 167: Local inquiry

Section 148 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 167 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 148 →View BNSS Section 167 →

CrPC 148 to BNSS 167 at a Glance

Section 148 CrPC (Local inquiry) is now Section 167 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 148 to BNSS 167?

Section 167 BNSS has the same heading as Section 148 CrPC and the same text, except as follows. Section 167(1) BNSS and Section 167(3) BNSS refer to Section 164 BNSS, Section 165 BNSS and Section 166 BNSS where Section 148(1) CrPC and Section 148(3) CrPC referred to Section 145 CrPC, Section 146 CrPC and Section 147 CrPC. Section 167(3) BNSS reads advocates fees where Section 148(3) CrPC read pleaders fees.

CrPC 148 vs BNSS 167: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section148167
HeadingLocal inquirySame
Sub-sections3 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.145s.164

CrPC 148 and BNSS 167: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 148, CrPC 1973

148. Local inquiry.—(1) Whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of section 145, section 146 or section 147, a District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to make the inquiry, and may furnish him with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance, and may declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the inquiry shall be paid. (2) The report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case. (3) When any costs have been incurred by any party to a proceeding under section 145, section 146 or section 147, the Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom such costs shall be paid, whether by such party or by any other party to the proceeding, and whether in whole or in part or proportion and such costs may include any expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of pleaders’ fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 167, BNSS 2023

167. Local inquiry.—(1) Whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of section 164, section 165 or section 166, a District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to make the inquiry, and may furnish him with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance, and may declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the inquiry shall be paid. (2) The report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case. (3) When any costs have been incurred by any party to a proceeding under section 164, section 165 or section 166, the Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom such costs shall be paid, whether by such party or by any other party to the proceeding, and whether in whole or in part or proportion and such costs may include any expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of advocates' fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.

When It Applies: CrPC 148 vs BNSS 167

Under CrPC 148
  1. Section 148(1) CrPC applies whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of Section 145 CrPC, Section 146 CrPC or Section 147 CrPC.
  2. A District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to the District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate to make the inquiry.
  3. The District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may furnish written instructions as may seem necessary for guidance, and may declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the inquiry shall be paid.
  4. Under Section 148(2) CrPC, the report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case.
  5. Section 148(3) CrPC applies when any costs have been incurred by any party to a proceeding under Section 145 CrPC, Section 146 CrPC or Section 147 CrPC. The Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom such costs shall be paid, whether by such party or by any other party to the proceeding, and whether in whole or in part or proportion.
  6. The costs may include any expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of pleaders fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.
Under BNSS 167
  1. Section 167(1) BNSS applies whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of Section 164 BNSS, Section 165 BNSS or Section 166 BNSS.
  2. A District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to the District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate to make the inquiry.
  3. The District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may furnish written instructions as may seem necessary for guidance, and may declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the inquiry shall be paid.
  4. Under Section 167(2) BNSS, the report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case.
  5. Section 167(3) BNSS applies when any costs have been incurred by any party to a proceeding under Section 164 BNSS, Section 165 BNSS or Section 166 BNSS. The Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom such costs shall be paid, whether by such party or by any other party to the proceeding, and whether in whole or in part or proportion.
  6. The costs may include any expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of advocates fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.

What CrPC 148 to BNSS 167 Means in Practice

Section 148(1) CrPC is found in Section 167(1) BNSS, Section 148(2) CrPC in Section 167(2) BNSS and Section 148(3) CrPC in Section 167(3) BNSS. Each reads the same apart from the renumbered references to the sections on disputes concerning land or water, and the word advocates in place of pleaders in Section 167(3) BNSS.

FAQs: CrPC 148 to BNSS 167

Where is Section 148 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 148 CrPC is found in Section 167 BNSS. Section 148(1) CrPC is found in Section 167(1) BNSS, Section 148(2) CrPC in Section 167(2) BNSS and Section 148(3) CrPC in Section 167(3) BNSS.

Is the text of Section 167 BNSS the same as Section 148 CrPC?▼

Section 167 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 148 CrPC, except for the renumbered references to Section 164 BNSS, Section 165 BNSS and Section 166 BNSS in place of Section 145 CrPC, Section 146 CrPC and Section 147 CrPC, and the word advocates in place of pleaders in Section 167(3) BNSS.

Which sections does Section 167 BNSS refer to?▼

Section 167(1) BNSS and Section 167(3) BNSS refer to Section 164 BNSS, Section 165 BNSS and Section 166 BNSS. Section 148(1) CrPC and Section 148(3) CrPC referred to Section 145 CrPC, Section 146 CrPC and Section 147 CrPC.

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 ·