CrPC 198A→BNSS 220

CrPC 198A to BNSS 220: Prosecution of offences under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code

Section 198A CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 220 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 198A →View BNSS Section 220 →

CrPC 198A to BNSS 220 at a Glance

Section 198A CrPC (Prosecution of offences under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code) is now Section 220 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 198A to BNSS 220?

Section 198A CrPC is found in Section 220 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The text is the same except for the cross-reference, which is to section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 in Section 220 BNSS and to section 498A of the Indian Penal Code in Section 198A CrPC. The heading carries the same cross-reference.

CrPC 198A vs BNSS 220: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section198A220
HeadingProsecution of offences under section 498A of the Indian Penal CodeProsecution of offences under section 85 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

CrPC 198A and BNSS 220: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 198A, CrPC 1973

198A. Prosecution of offences under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.—No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) except upon a police report of facts which constitute such offence or upon a complaint made by the person aggrieved by the offence or by her father, mother, brother, sister or by her father’s or mother’s brother or sister or, with the leave of the Court, by any other person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 220, BNSS 2023

220. Prosecution of offences under section 85 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.—No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 except upon a police report of facts which constitute such offence or upon a complaint made by the person aggrieved by the offence or by her father, mother, brother, sister or by her father's or mother's brother or sister or, with the leave of the Court, by any other person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption.

When It Applies: CrPC 198A vs BNSS 220

Under CrPC 198A
  1. No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code except in the ways the text lists.
  2. One way is a police report of facts which constitute such offence.
  3. Another way is a complaint made by the person aggrieved by the offence.
  4. A complaint may also be made by her father, mother, brother, sister or by her father's or mother's brother or sister.
  5. With the leave of the Court, a complaint may be made by any other person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption.
Under BNSS 220
  1. No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 except in the ways the text lists.
  2. One way is a police report of facts which constitute such offence.
  3. Another way is a complaint made by the person aggrieved by the offence.
  4. A complaint may also be made by her father, mother, brother, sister or by her father's or mother's brother or sister.
  5. With the leave of the Court, a complaint may be made by any other person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption.

What CrPC 198A to BNSS 220 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the words that no Court shall take cognizance except upon a police report or a complaint by the persons named are read in Section 220 BNSS. The offence is named by section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

FAQs: CrPC 198A to BNSS 220

Which BNSS section replaces Section 198A CrPC?▼

Section 198A CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 220 BNSS.

Which offence does Section 220 BNSS name?▼

Section 220 BNSS names an offence punishable under section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Section 198A CrPC named an offence punishable under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.

Is the list of complainants different in Section 220 BNSS?▼

Section 220 BNSS lists the person aggrieved, her father, mother, brother, sister, her father's or mother's brother or sister, and with the leave of the Court any other person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption. Section 198A CrPC lists the same persons in the same words.

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 ·