CrPC 208→BNSS 231

CrPC 208 to BNSS 231: Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session

Section 208 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 231 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 208 →View BNSS Section 231 →

CrPC 208 to BNSS 231 at a Glance

Section 208 CrPC (Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session) is now Section 231 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 208 to BNSS 231?

Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 231 BNSS reads forthwith where Section 208 CrPC read without delay. Section 231 BNSS refers to Section 227 BNSS, Section 223 BNSS, Section 225 BNSS, Section 180 BNSS and Section 183 BNSS where Section 208 CrPC referred to Section 204 CrPC, Section 200 CrPC, Section 202 CrPC, Section 161 CrPC and Section 164 CrPC. The proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads an advocate where the proviso to Section 208 CrPC read pleader. Section 231 BNSS adds a further proviso on supply of documents in electronic form.

CrPC 208 vs BNSS 231: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section208231
HeadingSupply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of SessionSame
Cross-referencess.204, s.200, s.161s.227, s.223, s.180

CrPC 208 and BNSS 231: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 208, CrPC 1973

208. Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session.—Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 204 that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall without delay furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following:— (i) the statements recorded under section 200 or section 202, of all persons examined by the Magistrate; (ii) the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under section 161 or section 164; (iii) any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely: Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, he shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy thereof, direct that he will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through pleader in Court.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 231, BNSS 2023

231. Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session.—Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 227 that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following:— (i) the statements recorded under section 223 or section 225, of all persons examined by the Magistrate; (ii) the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under section 180 or section 183; (iii) any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely: Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, he shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy thereof, direct that he will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through an advocate in Court: Provided further that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

When It Applies: CrPC 208 vs BNSS 231

Under CrPC 208
  1. Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under Section 204 CrPC that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall without delay furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each document listed in Section 208 CrPC.
  2. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements recorded under Section 200 CrPC or Section 202 CrPC of all persons examined by the Magistrate.
  3. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under Section 161 CrPC or Section 164 CrPC.
  4. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely.
  5. If the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, the Magistrate shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy, direct that the accused will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through pleader in Court.
Under BNSS 231
  1. Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under Section 227 BNSS that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each document listed in Section 231 BNSS.
  2. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements recorded under Section 223 BNSS or Section 225 BNSS of all persons examined by the Magistrate.
  3. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under Section 180 BNSS or Section 183 BNSS.
  4. The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely.
  5. If the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, the Magistrate shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy, direct that the accused will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through an advocate in Court.
  6. The further proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

Time Limits: CrPC 208 to BNSS 231

Under CrPC 208
  • The Magistrate shall furnish the copies without delay.Act text: “the Magistrate shall without delay furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following”
Under BNSS 231
  • The Magistrate shall furnish the copies forthwith.Act text: “the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following”

What CrPC 208 to BNSS 231 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is the section for the supply of copies of statements and documents to the accused in other cases triable by the Court of Session where Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was. Section 231 BNSS reads forthwith, and its further proviso reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

FAQs: CrPC 208 to BNSS 231

Which section of the BNSS replaced Section 208 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 208 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 231 BNSS.

How does the time word differ between Section 208 CrPC and Section 231 BNSS?▼

Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 reads that the Magistrate shall without delay furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the documents. Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads that the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the documents.

How do the provisos differ between Section 208 CrPC and Section 231 BNSS?▼

The proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads an advocate where the proviso to Section 208 CrPC read pleader. Section 231 BNSS adds a further proviso, which Section 208 CrPC does not have, and which reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

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: 22 Oct 2026 ·