CrPC 220→BNSS 243

CrPC 220 to BNSS 243: Trial for more than one offence

Section 220 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 243 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 220 →View BNSS Section 243 →

CrPC 220 to BNSS 243 at a Glance

Section 220 CrPC (Trial for more than one offence) is now Section 243 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 220 to BNSS 243?

Section 220 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 243(1), Section 243(3) and Section 243(4) BNSS have the same words as Section 220(1), Section 220(3) and Section 220(4) CrPC. Section 243(2) BNSS refers to Section 235(2) BNSS and Section 242(1) BNSS where Section 220(2) CrPC referred to Section 212(2) CrPC and Section 219(1) CrPC. Section 243(5) BNSS refers to Section 9 BNS where Section 220(5) CrPC referred to Section 71 IPC. The illustrations to Section 243 BNSS cite BNS sections where the illustrations to Section 220 CrPC cited IPC sections. The illustration on house-breaking by day reads rape where it read adultery, and the illustration on enticing the wife of another away has no counterpart in Section 243 BNSS.

CrPC 220 vs BNSS 243: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section220243
HeadingTrial for more than one offenceSame
Sub-sections5 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.212s.235

CrPC 220 and BNSS 243: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 220, CrPC 1973

220. Trial for more than one offence.—(1) If, in one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed by the same person, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence. (2) When a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of property as provided in sub-section (2) of section 212 or in sub-section (1) of section 219, is accused of committing, for the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or those offences, one or more offences of falsification of accounts, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence. (3) If the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each of such offences. (4) If several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for the offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted by any one, or more, of such acts. (5) Nothing contained in this section shall affect section 71 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Illustrations to sub-section (1) (a) A rescues B, a person in lawful custody, and in so doing causes grievous hurt to C, a constable in whose custody B was. A may be charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 225 and 333 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (b) A commits house-breaking by day with intent to commit adultery, and commits, in the house so entered, adultery with B's wife. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 454 and 497 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (c) A entices B, the wife of C, away from C, with intent to commit adultery with B, and then commits adultery with her. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 498 and 497 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (d) A has in his possession several seals, knowing them to be counterfeit and intending to use them for the purpose of committing several forgeries punishable under section 466 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, the possession of each seal under section 473 of the Indian Penal Code. (e) With intent to cause injury to B, A institutes a criminal proceeding against him, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such proceeding, and also falsely accuses B of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, two offences under section 211 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (f) A, with intent to cause injury to B, falsely accuses him of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. On the trial, A gives false evidence against B, intending thereby to cause B to be convicted of a capital offence. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 211 and 194 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (g) A, with six others, commits the offences of rioting, grievous hurt and assaulting a public servant endeavouring in the discharge of his duty as such to suppress the riot. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 147, 325 and 152 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (h) A threatens B, C and D at the same time with injury to their persons with intent to cause alarm to them. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, each of the three offences under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). The separate charges referred to in illustrations (a) to (h), respectively, may be tried at the same time. Illustrations to sub-section (3) (i) A wrongfully strikes B with a cane. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 352 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (j) Several stolen sacks of corn are made over to A and B, who knew they are stolen property, for the purpose of concealing them. A and B thereupon voluntarily assist each other to conceal the sacks at the bottom of a grain-pit. A and B may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 411 and 414 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (k) A exposes her child with the knowledge that she is thereby likely to cause its death. The child dies in consequence of such exposure. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 317 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). (l) A dishonestly uses a forged document as genuine evidence, in order to convict B, a public servant, of an offence under section 167 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 471 (read with section 466) and 196 of that Code. Illustration to sub-section (4) (m) A commits robbery on B, and in doing so voluntarily causes hurt to him. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 323, 392 and 394 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 243, BNSS 2023

243. Trial for more than one offence.—(1) If, in one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed by the same person, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence. (2) When a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of property as provided in sub-section (2) of section 235 or in sub-section (1) of section 242, is accused of committing, for the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or those offences, one or more offences of falsification of accounts, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence. (3) If the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each of such offences. (4) If several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for the offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted by any one, or more, of such acts. (5) Nothing contained in this section shall affect section 9 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Illustrations to sub-section (1) (a) A rescues B, a person in lawful custody, and in so doing causes grievous hurt to C, a constable in whose custody B was. A may be charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 121 and section 263 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (b) A commits house-breaking by day with intent to commit rape, and commits, in the house so entered, rape with B's wife. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under section 64 and sub-section (3) of section 331 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (c) A has in his possession several seals, knowing them to be counterfeit and intending to use them for the purpose of committing several forgeries punishable under section 337 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, the possession of each seal under sub-section (2) of section 341 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (d) With intent to cause injury to B, A institutes a criminal proceeding against him, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such proceeding, and also falsely accuses B of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, two offences under section 248 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (e) A, with intent to cause injury to B, falsely accuses him of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. On the trial, A gives false evidence against B, intending thereby to cause B to be convicted of a capital offence. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 230 and 248 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (f) A, with six others, commits the offences of rioting, grievous hurt and assaulting a public servant endeavouring in the discharge of his duty as such to suppress the riot. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 117, sub-section (2) of section 191 and section 195 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (g) A threatens B, C and D at the same time with injury to their persons with intent to cause alarm to them. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, each of the three offences under sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The separate charges referred to in illustrations (a) to (g), respectively, may be tried at the same time. Illustrations to sub-section (3) (h) A wrongfully strikes B with a cane. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 115 and section 131 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (i) Several stolen sacks of corn are made over to A and B, who knew they are stolen property, for the purpose of concealing them. A and B thereupon voluntarily assist each other to conceal the sacks at the bottom of a grain-pit. A and B may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-sections (2) and (5) of section 317 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (j) A exposes her child with the knowledge that she is thereby likely to cause its death. The child dies in consequence of such exposure. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 93 and 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (k) A dishonestly uses a forged document as genuine evidence, in order to convict B, a public servant, of an offence under section 201 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under section 233 and sub-section (2) of section 340 (read with section 337) of that Sanhita. Illustration to sub-section (4) (l) A commits robbery on B, and in doing so voluntarily causes hurt to him. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 115 and sub-sections (2) and (4) of section 309 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

When It Applies: CrPC 220 vs BNSS 243

Under CrPC 220
  1. Under Section 220(1) CrPC, if, in one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed by the same person, the person may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
  2. Under Section 220(2) CrPC, a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of property as provided in Section 212(2) CrPC or Section 219(1) CrPC, and accused of one or more offences of falsification of accounts committed for the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or those offences, may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
  3. Under Section 220(3) CrPC, if the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each of such offences.
  4. Under Section 220(4) CrPC, if several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for the offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted by any one, or more, of such acts.
  5. Section 220(5) CrPC reads that nothing contained in Section 220 CrPC shall affect Section 71 of the Indian Penal Code.
Under BNSS 243
  1. Under Section 243(1) BNSS, if, in one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed by the same person, the person may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
  2. Under Section 243(2) BNSS, a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of property as provided in Section 235(2) BNSS or Section 242(1) BNSS, and accused of one or more offences of falsification of accounts committed for the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or those offences, may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
  3. Under Section 243(3) BNSS, if the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each of such offences.
  4. Under Section 243(4) BNSS, if several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for the offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted by any one, or more, of such acts.
  5. Section 243(5) BNSS reads that nothing contained in Section 243 BNSS shall affect Section 9 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

What CrPC 220 to BNSS 243 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is the section for trial for more than one offence where Section 220 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was. Section 243(2) BNSS names Section 235(2) BNSS and Section 242(1) BNSS, and Section 243(5) BNSS names Section 9 BNS.

FAQs: CrPC 220 to BNSS 243

Which section of the BNSS replaced Section 220 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 220 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 220(1) CrPC is found in Section 243(1) BNSS, Section 220(2) CrPC in Section 243(2) BNSS, Section 220(3) CrPC in Section 243(3) BNSS, Section 220(4) CrPC in Section 243(4) BNSS and Section 220(5) CrPC in Section 243(5) BNSS.

How do the cross-references differ between Section 220 CrPC and Section 243 BNSS?▼

Section 243(2) BNSS refers to Section 235(2) BNSS and Section 242(1) BNSS where Section 220(2) CrPC referred to Section 212(2) CrPC and Section 219(1) CrPC. Section 243(5) BNSS refers to Section 9 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 where Section 220(5) CrPC referred to Section 71 of the Indian Penal Code.

How do the illustrations differ between Section 220 CrPC and Section 243 BNSS?▼

The illustrations to Section 243 BNSS cite BNS sections where the illustrations to Section 220 CrPC cited IPC sections. The illustration to Section 243(1) BNSS on house-breaking by day reads rape where the illustration to Section 220(1) CrPC read adultery. Section 243(1) BNSS has no counterpart to the illustration to Section 220(1) CrPC on enticing the wife of another away with intent to commit adultery, and the last sentence of the illustrations to Section 243(1) BNSS refers to illustrations a to g where the last sentence of the illustrations to Section 220(1) CrPC referred to illustrations a to h.

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: 21 Oct 2026 ·