CrPC 171→BNSS 191

CrPC 171 to BNSS 191: Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subjected to restraint

Section 171 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 191 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 171 →View BNSS Section 191 →

CrPC 171 to BNSS 191 at a Glance

Section 171 CrPC (Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subjected to restraint) is now Section 191 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 171 to BNSS 191?

Section 191 BNSS has the same text as Section 171 CrPC. The heading of Section 191 BNSS reads not to be subject to restraint where the heading of Section 171 CrPC read not to be subjected to restraint. The proviso to Section 191 BNSS refers to Section 190 BNSS where the proviso to Section 171 CrPC referred to Section 170 CrPC.

CrPC 171 vs BNSS 191: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section171191
HeadingComplainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subjected to restraintComplainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subject to restraint
Cross-referencess.170s.190

CrPC 171 and BNSS 191: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 171, CrPC 1973

171. Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subjected to restraint.—No complainant or witness on his way to any Court shall be required to accompany a police officer, or shall be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience, or required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond: Provided that, if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in section 170, the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 191, BNSS 2023

191. Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subject to restraint.—No complainant or witness on his way to any Court shall be required to accompany a police officer, or shall be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience, or required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond: Provided that if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in section 190, the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.

When It Applies: CrPC 171 vs BNSS 191

Under CrPC 171
  1. Section 171 CrPC applies to a complainant or witness on his way to any Court.
  2. Such a complainant or witness shall not be required to accompany a police officer.
  3. Such a complainant or witness shall not be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience.
  4. Such a complainant or witness shall not be required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond.
  5. The proviso applies if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in Section 170 CrPC.
  6. In that case the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody.
Under BNSS 191
  1. Section 191 BNSS applies to a complainant or witness on his way to any Court.
  2. Such a complainant or witness shall not be required to accompany a police officer.
  3. Such a complainant or witness shall not be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience.
  4. Such a complainant or witness shall not be required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond.
  5. The proviso applies if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in Section 190 BNSS.
  6. In that case the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody.

Time Limits: CrPC 171 to BNSS 191

Under CrPC 171
  • The proviso says that the Magistrate may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.Act text: “until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed”
Under BNSS 191
  • The proviso says that the Magistrate may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.Act text: “until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed”

What CrPC 171 to BNSS 191 Means in Practice

Section 171 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 191 BNSS. Both provide that the officer in charge of the police station may forward a complainant or witness in custody to the Magistrate if the complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond.

FAQs: CrPC 171 to BNSS 191

Where is Section 171 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 171 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 191 BNSS.

Is the text of Section 191 BNSS the same as Section 171 CrPC?▼

Section 191 BNSS has the same text as Section 171 CrPC, except that the heading of Section 191 BNSS reads not to be subject to restraint where the heading of Section 171 CrPC read not to be subjected to restraint, and the proviso to Section 191 BNSS refers to Section 190 BNSS where the proviso to Section 171 CrPC referred to Section 170 CrPC.

Which section does the proviso to Section 191 BNSS refer to?▼

The proviso to Section 191 BNSS refers to Section 190 BNSS. The proviso to Section 171 CrPC referred to Section 170 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 ·