CrPC 186→BNSS 206

CrPC 186 to BNSS 206: High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place

Section 186 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 206 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 186 →View BNSS Section 206 →

CrPC 186 to BNSS 206 at a Glance

Section 186 CrPC (High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place) is now Section 206 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 186 to BNSS 206?

Section 186 CrPC is found in Section 206 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Both have the same heading and the same text. The text has no cross-reference to another section.

CrPC 186 vs BNSS 206: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section186206
HeadingHigh Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take placeSame

CrPC 186 and BNSS 206: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 186, CrPC 1973

186. High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place.—Where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence, the question shall be decided— (a) if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, by that High Court; (b) if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced, and thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 206, BNSS 2023

206. High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place.—Where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence, the question shall be decided— (a) if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, by that High Court; (b) if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced, and thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.

When It Applies: CrPC 186 vs BNSS 206

Under CrPC 186
  1. Section 186 CrPC applies where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence.
  2. Under Section 186(a) CrPC, if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, the question is decided by that High Court.
  3. Under Section 186(b) CrPC, if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, the question is decided by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced.
  4. Under Section 186(b) CrPC, thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.
Under BNSS 206
  1. Section 206 BNSS applies where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence.
  2. Under Section 206(a) BNSS, if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, the question is decided by that High Court.
  3. Under Section 206(b) BNSS, if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, the question is decided by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced.
  4. Under Section 206(b) BNSS, thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.

What CrPC 186 to BNSS 206 Means in Practice

Under Section 206 BNSS, in the same words as Section 186 CrPC, the question is decided by that High Court if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court. Otherwise Section 206(b) BNSS names the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced.

FAQs: CrPC 186 to BNSS 206

Does Section 206 BNSS read differently from Section 186 CrPC?▼

No. Section 206 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 186 CrPC.

Does Section 206 BNSS refer to another section?▼

No. Neither Section 206 BNSS nor Section 186 CrPC refers to another section.

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: 20 Oct 2026 ·