CrPC 220 to BNSS 243: Trial for more than one offence
Section 220 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 243 BNSS (2023)
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
| Aspect | CrPC 1973 (repealed) | BNSS 2023 (in force) |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 220 | 243 |
| Heading | Trial for more than one offence | Same |
| Sub-sections | 5 sub-sections | Same |
| Cross-references | s.212 | s.235 |
CrPC 220 and BNSS 243: Bare Act Text Side by Side
Section 220, CrPC 1973
Section 243, BNSS 2023
When It Applies: CrPC 220 vs BNSS 243
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Section 220(5) CrPC reads that nothing contained in Section 220 CrPC shall affect Section 71 of the Indian Penal Code.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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 ·