CrPC 201→BNSS 224

CrPC 201 to BNSS 224: Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case

Section 201 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 224 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 201 →View BNSS Section 224 →

CrPC 201 to BNSS 224 at a Glance

Section 201 CrPC (Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case) is now Section 224 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 201 to BNSS 224?

Section 201 CrPC is found in Section 224 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The text is the same. The heading of Section 224 BNSS omits the word the before case, which the heading of Section 201 CrPC has.

CrPC 201 vs BNSS 224: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section201224
HeadingProcedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the caseProcedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case

CrPC 201 and BNSS 224: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 201, CrPC 1973

201. Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case.—If the complaint is made to a Magistrate who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence, he shall,— (a) if the complaint is in writing, return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect; (b) if the complaint is not in writing, direct the complainant to the proper Court.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 224, BNSS 2023

224. Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case.—If the complaint is made to a Magistrate who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence, he shall,— (a) if the complaint is in writing, return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect; (b) if the complaint is not in writing, direct the complainant to the proper Court.

When It Applies: CrPC 201 vs BNSS 224

Under CrPC 201
  1. The rule is addressed to a Magistrate to whom a complaint is made and who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence.
  2. A complaint in writing is returned for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect.
  3. For a complaint that is not in writing, the Magistrate shall direct the complainant to the proper Court.
Under BNSS 224
  1. The rule is addressed to a Magistrate to whom a complaint is made and who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence.
  2. A complaint in writing is returned for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect.
  3. For a complaint that is not in writing, the Magistrate shall direct the complainant to the proper Court.

What CrPC 201 to BNSS 224 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the words on returning a complaint in writing and directing the complainant to the proper Court are read in Section 224 BNSS.

FAQs: CrPC 201 to BNSS 224

Which BNSS section replaces Section 201 CrPC?▼

Section 201 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 224 BNSS.

Is the text different in Section 224 BNSS?▼

The text of Section 224 BNSS is the same as the text of Section 201 CrPC. Only the heading differs, by the word the before case.

Is the handling of a complaint in writing and a complaint not in writing different in Section 224 BNSS?▼

The case of a complaint in writing and the case of a complaint not in writing are in the same words in Section 224 BNSS as in Section 201 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: 20 Oct 2026 ·