CrPC 254→BNSS 277

CrPC 254 to BNSS 277: Procedure when not convicted

Section 254 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 277 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 254 →View BNSS Section 277 →

CrPC 254 to BNSS 277 at a Glance

Section 254 CrPC (Procedure when not convicted) is now Section 277 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 254 to BNSS 277?

Section 254 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 277 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, under the same heading. Section 277(1) BNSS refers to Section 275 BNSS and Section 276 BNSS where Section 254(1) CrPC referred to Section 252 CrPC and Section 253 CrPC. The rest of the text is the same.

CrPC 254 vs BNSS 277: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section254277
HeadingProcedure when not convictedSame
Sub-sections3 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.252s.275

CrPC 254 and BNSS 277: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 254, CrPC 1973

254. Procedure when not convicted.—(1) If the Magistrate does not convict the accused under section 252 or section 253, the Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution, and also to hear the accused and take all such evidence as he produces in his defence. (2) The Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the prosecution or the accused, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to produce any document or other thing. (3) The Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application, require that the reasonable expenses of the witness incurred in attending for the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 277, BNSS 2023

277. Procedure when not convicted.—(1) If the Magistrate does not convict the accused under section 275 or section 276, the Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution, and also to hear the accused and take all such evidence as he produces in his defence. (2) The Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the prosecution or the accused, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to produce any document or other thing. (3) The Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application, require that the reasonable expenses of the witness incurred in attending for the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.

When It Applies: CrPC 254 vs BNSS 277

Under CrPC 254
  1. Section 254(1) CrPC applies if the Magistrate does not convict the accused under Section 252 CrPC or Section 253 CrPC.
  2. The Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution.
  3. The Magistrate shall also hear the accused and take all such evidence as he produces in his defence.
  4. Under Section 254(2) CrPC the Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the prosecution or the accused, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to produce any document or other thing.
  5. Under Section 254(3) CrPC the Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application, require that the reasonable expenses of the witness incurred in attending for the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.
Under BNSS 277
  1. Section 277(1) BNSS applies if the Magistrate does not convict the accused under Section 275 BNSS or Section 276 BNSS.
  2. The Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution.
  3. The Magistrate shall also hear the accused and take all such evidence as he produces in his defence.
  4. Under Section 277(2) BNSS the Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the prosecution or the accused, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to produce any document or other thing.
  5. Under Section 277(3) BNSS the Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application, require that the reasonable expenses of the witness incurred in attending for the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.

What CrPC 254 to BNSS 277 Means in Practice

Section 277 BNSS gives the same steps as Section 254 CrPC for hearing the prosecution and the accused, summoning witnesses and the deposit of expenses. Only the section numbers in Section 277(1) BNSS differ from Section 254(1) CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 254 to BNSS 277

Which BNSS section is Section 254 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 277 BNSS, under the same heading.

Which cross-references differ between Section 254 CrPC and Section 277 BNSS?▼

Section 277(1) BNSS refers to Section 275 BNSS and Section 276 BNSS where Section 254(1) CrPC referred to Section 252 CrPC and Section 253 CrPC. Section 277(2) BNSS and Section 277(3) BNSS have the same text as Section 254(2) CrPC and Section 254(3) 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 ·