CrPC 151→BNSS 170

CrPC 151 to BNSS 170: Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences

Section 151 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 170 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 151 →View BNSS Section 170 →

CrPC 151 to BNSS 170 at a Glance

Section 151 CrPC (Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) is now Section 170 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 151 to BNSS 170?

Section 170 BNSS has the same text as Section 151 CrPC. The heading of Section 170 BNSS reads Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences where the heading of Section 151 CrPC read Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences. Section 170(2) BNSS reads any other provisions of this Sanhita where Section 151(2) CrPC read any other provisions of this Code.

CrPC 151 vs BNSS 170: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section151170
HeadingArrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offencesArrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 151 and BNSS 170: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 151, CrPC 1973

151. Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.—(1) A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented. (2) No person arrested under sub-section (1) shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law for the time being in force.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 170, BNSS 2023

170. Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences.—(1) A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented. (2) No person arrested under sub-section (1) shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Sanhita or of any other law for the time being in force.

When It Applies: CrPC 151 vs BNSS 170

Under CrPC 151
  1. Section 151(1) CrPC applies to a police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence.
  2. That police officer may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing.
  3. The arrest may be made if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.
  4. Section 151(2) CrPC applies to a person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC.
Under BNSS 170
  1. Section 170(1) BNSS applies to a police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence.
  2. That police officer may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing.
  3. The arrest may be made if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.
  4. Section 170(2) BNSS applies to a person arrested under Section 170(1) BNSS.

Time Limits: CrPC 151 to BNSS 170

Under CrPC 151
  • Section 151(2) CrPC says that no person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest.Act text: “shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest”
  • That period applies unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or of any other law for the time being in force.Act text: “unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law for the time being in force”
Under BNSS 170
  • Section 170(2) BNSS says that no person arrested under Section 170(1) BNSS shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest.Act text: “shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest”
  • That period applies unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Sanhita or of any other law for the time being in force.Act text: “unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Sanhita or of any other law for the time being in force”

What CrPC 151 to BNSS 170 Means in Practice

Section 151(1) CrPC is found in Section 170(1) BNSS and Section 151(2) CrPC in Section 170(2) BNSS. Both provide that no person arrested under the first sub-section shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or the Sanhita or of any other law for the time being in force.

FAQs: CrPC 151 to BNSS 170

Where is Section 151 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 151 CrPC is found in Section 170 BNSS. Section 151(1) CrPC is found in Section 170(1) BNSS and Section 151(2) CrPC in Section 170(2) BNSS.

Is the text of Section 170 BNSS the same as Section 151 CrPC?▼

Section 170 BNSS has the same text as Section 151 CrPC, except that Section 170(2) BNSS reads any other provisions of this Sanhita where Section 151(2) CrPC read any other provisions of this Code. The heading of Section 170 BNSS reads Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences where the heading of Section 151 CrPC read Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.

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: 22 Oct 2026 ·