CrPC 15→BNSS 13

CrPC 15 to BNSS 13: Subordination of Judicial Magistrates

Section 15 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 13 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 15 →View BNSS Section 13 →

CrPC 15 to BNSS 13 at a Glance

Section 15 CrPC (Subordination of Judicial Magistrates) is now Section 13 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 15 to BNSS 13?

Section 15 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 13 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 13(1) BNSS has the same text as Section 15(1) CrPC on the subordination of Judicial Magistrates and the general control of the Sessions Judge. Section 13(2) BNSS refers to the Sanhita in place of the Code and is otherwise the same as Section 15(2) CrPC.

CrPC 15 vs BNSS 13: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section1513
HeadingSubordination of Judicial MagistratesSame
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 15 and BNSS 13: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 15, CrPC 1973

15. Subordination of Judicial Magistrates.—(1) Every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge; and every other Judicial Magistrate shall, subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate. (2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special orders, consistent with this Code, as to the distribution of business among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to him.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 13, BNSS 2023

13. Subordination of Judicial Magistrates.—(1) Every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge; and every other Judicial Magistrate shall, subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate. (2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special orders, consistent with this Sanhita, as to the distribution of business among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to him.

When It Applies: CrPC 15 vs BNSS 13

Under CrPC 15
  1. Under Section 15(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge.
  2. Every Judicial Magistrate other than the Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate while remaining subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge under Section 15(1) CrPC.
  3. Under Section 15(2) CrPC, the Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special orders as to the distribution of business among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
  4. Under Section 15(2) CrPC, those rules or special orders shall be consistent with the Code.
Under BNSS 13
  1. Under Section 13(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge.
  2. Every Judicial Magistrate other than the Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate while remaining subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge under Section 13(1) BNSS.
  3. Under Section 13(2) BNSS, the Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special orders as to the distribution of business among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
  4. Under Section 13(2) BNSS, those rules or special orders shall be consistent with the Sanhita.

What CrPC 15 to BNSS 13 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the provision on the subordination of Judicial Magistrates is found in Section 13 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 15 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The text is the same apart from the reference to the Sanhita in place of the Code, so the Chief Judicial Magistrate may make rules or give special orders on the distribution of business in the same terms.

FAQs: CrPC 15 to BNSS 13

Which section of the BNSS corresponds to Section 15 CrPC?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 15 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 13 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Specifically, Section 15(1) CrPC on the subordination of Judicial Magistrates corresponds to Section 13(1) BNSS, and Section 15(2) CrPC on the distribution of business corresponds to Section 13(2) BNSS.

Did Section 13 BNSS change the subordination of the Chief Judicial Magistrate or other Judicial Magistrates?▼

No. The rule in Section 13(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is unchanged from Section 15(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge, and every other Judicial Magistrate shall, subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

What changed in the power to distribute business under Section 13(2) BNSS compared to Section 15(2) CrPC?▼

Section 13(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads consistent with this Sanhita where Section 15(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read consistent with this Code. The rest of the text, on rules or special orders made from time to time as to the distribution of business among subordinate Judicial Magistrates, is the same.

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 ·