CrPC 166→BNSS 186

CrPC 166 to BNSS 186: When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant

Section 166 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 186 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 166 →View BNSS Section 186 →

CrPC 166 to BNSS 186 at a Glance

Section 166 CrPC (When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant) is now Section 186 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 166 to BNSS 186?

Section 186 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 166 CrPC. Section 186(2) BNSS and Section 186(3) BNSS refer to Section 185 BNSS where Section 166(2) CrPC and Section 166(3) CrPC referred to Section 165 CrPC. Section 186(4) BNSS refers to Section 103 BNSS where Section 166(4) CrPC referred to Section 100 CrPC, and to Section 185(1) BNSS and Section 185(3) BNSS where Section 166(4) CrPC referred to Section 165(1) CrPC and Section 165(3) CrPC.

CrPC 166 vs BNSS 186: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section166186
HeadingWhen officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrantSame
Sub-sections5 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.165, s.100s.185, s.103

CrPC 166 and BNSS 186: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 166, CrPC 1973

166. When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant.—(1) An officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation may require an officer in charge of another police station, whether in the same or a different district, to cause a search to be made in any place, in any case in which the former officer might cause such search to be made, within the limits of his own station. (2) Such officer, on being so required, shall proceed according to the provisions of section 165, and shall forward the thing found, if any, to the officer at whose request the search was made. (3) Whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under sub-section (1) might result in evidence of the commission of an offence being concealed or destroyed, it shall be lawful for an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making any investigation under this Chapter to search, or cause to be searched, any place in the limits of another police station in accordance with the provisions of section 165, as if such place were within the limits of his own police station. (4) Any officer conducting a search under sub-section (3) shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate, and shall also send with such notice a copy of the list (if any) prepared under section 100, and shall also send to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, copies of the records referred to in sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 165. (5) The owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished free of cost with a copy of any record sent to the Magistrate under sub-section (4).
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 186, BNSS 2023

186. When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant.—(1) An officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation may require an officer in charge of another police station, whether in the same or a different district, to cause a search to be made in any place, in any case in which the former officer might cause such search to be made, within the limits of his own station. (2) Such officer, on being so required, shall proceed according to the provisions of section 185, and shall forward the thing found, if any, to the officer at whose request the search was made. (3) Whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under sub-section (1) might result in evidence of the commission of an offence being concealed or destroyed, it shall be lawful for an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making any investigation under this Chapter to search, or cause to be searched, any place in the limits of another police station in accordance with the provisions of section 185, as if such place were within the limits of his own police station. (4) Any officer conducting a search under sub-section (3) shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate, and shall also send with such notice a copy of the list (if any) prepared under section 103, and shall also send to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, copies of the records referred to in sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 185. (5) The owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished free of cost with a copy of any record sent to the Magistrate under sub-section (4).

When It Applies: CrPC 166 vs BNSS 186

Under CrPC 166
  1. Section 166(1) CrPC applies to an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation.
  2. That officer may require an officer in charge of another police station, whether in the same or a different district, to cause a search to be made in any place, in any case in which the former officer might cause such search to be made, within the limits of his own station.
  3. Under Section 166(2) CrPC, such officer, on being so required, shall proceed according to the provisions of Section 165 CrPC, and shall forward the thing found, if any, to the officer at whose request the search was made.
  4. Section 166(3) CrPC applies whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under Section 166(1) CrPC might result in evidence of the commission of an offence being concealed or destroyed.
  5. In that case it shall be lawful for an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making any investigation under Chapter XII of the Code to search, or cause to be searched, any place in the limits of another police station in accordance with the provisions of Section 165 CrPC, as if such place were within the limits of his own police station.
  6. Under Section 166(4) CrPC, any officer conducting a search under Section 166(3) CrPC shall send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate, and shall also send with such notice a copy of the list, if any, prepared under Section 100 CrPC.
  7. That officer shall also send to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, copies of the records referred to in Section 165(1) CrPC and Section 165(3) CrPC.
  8. Under Section 166(5) CrPC, the owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished free of cost with a copy of any record sent to the Magistrate under Section 166(4) CrPC.
Under BNSS 186
  1. Section 186(1) BNSS applies to an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation.
  2. That officer may require an officer in charge of another police station, whether in the same or a different district, to cause a search to be made in any place, in any case in which the former officer might cause such search to be made, within the limits of his own station.
  3. Under Section 186(2) BNSS, such officer, on being so required, shall proceed according to the provisions of Section 185 BNSS, and shall forward the thing found, if any, to the officer at whose request the search was made.
  4. Section 186(3) BNSS applies whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under Section 186(1) BNSS might result in evidence of the commission of an offence being concealed or destroyed.
  5. In that case it shall be lawful for an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making any investigation under Chapter XIII of the Sanhita to search, or cause to be searched, any place in the limits of another police station in accordance with the provisions of Section 185 BNSS, as if such place were within the limits of his own police station.
  6. Under Section 186(4) BNSS, any officer conducting a search under Section 186(3) BNSS shall send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate, and shall also send with such notice a copy of the list, if any, prepared under Section 103 BNSS.
  7. That officer shall also send to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, copies of the records referred to in Section 185(1) BNSS and Section 185(3) BNSS.
  8. Under Section 186(5) BNSS, the owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished free of cost with a copy of any record sent to the Magistrate under Section 186(4) BNSS.

Time Limits: CrPC 166 to BNSS 186

Under CrPC 166
  • Section 166(3) CrPC speaks of the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under Section 166(1) CrPC.Act text: “the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under sub-section (1)”
  • Section 166(4) CrPC says that any officer conducting a search under Section 166(3) CrPC shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate.Act text: “shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station”
Under BNSS 186
  • Section 186(3) BNSS speaks of the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under Section 186(1) BNSS.Act text: “the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under sub-section (1)”
  • Section 186(4) BNSS says that any officer conducting a search under Section 186(3) BNSS shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate.Act text: “shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station”

What CrPC 166 to BNSS 186 Means in Practice

Section 166(1) CrPC is found in Section 186(1) BNSS, Section 166(2) CrPC in Section 186(2) BNSS, Section 166(3) CrPC in Section 186(3) BNSS, Section 166(4) CrPC in Section 186(4) BNSS and Section 166(5) CrPC in Section 186(5) BNSS. Both provide that an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation may require an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made.

FAQs: CrPC 166 to BNSS 186

Where is Section 166 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 166 CrPC is found in Section 186 BNSS. Section 166(1) CrPC is found in Section 186(1) BNSS, Section 166(2) CrPC in Section 186(2) BNSS, Section 166(3) CrPC in Section 186(3) BNSS, Section 166(4) CrPC in Section 186(4) BNSS and Section 166(5) CrPC in Section 186(5) BNSS.

Is the text of Section 186 BNSS the same as Section 166 CrPC?▼

Section 186 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 166 CrPC, except for the renumbered cross-references to Section 185 BNSS, Section 103 BNSS, Section 185(1) BNSS and Section 185(3) BNSS.

Which sections does Section 186(4) BNSS refer to?▼

Section 186(4) BNSS refers to Section 103 BNSS, Section 185(1) BNSS and Section 185(3) BNSS. Section 166(4) CrPC referred to Section 100 CrPC, Section 165(1) CrPC and Section 165(3) 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 ·