CrPC 271→BNSS 306

CrPC 271 to BNSS 306: Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison

Section 271 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 306 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 271 →View BNSS Section 306 →

CrPC 271 to BNSS 306 at a Glance

Section 271 CrPC (Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison) is now Section 306 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 271 to BNSS 306?

From 1 July 2024, Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 271 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same. Section 306 BNSS refers to Section 319 BNSS where Section 271 CrPC referred to Section 284 CrPC. Section 306 BNSS refers to Part B of Chapter XXV where Section 271 CrPC referred to Part B of Chapter XXIII. The rest of the text is the same.

CrPC 271 vs BNSS 306: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section271306
HeadingPower to issue commission for examination of witness in prisonSame
Cross-referencess.284s.319

CrPC 271 and BNSS 306: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 271, CrPC 1973

271. Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison.—The provisions of this Chapter shall be without prejudice to the power of the Court to issue, under section 284, a commission for the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison; and the provisions of Part B of Chapter XXIII shall apply in relation to the examination on commission of any such person in the prison as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 306, BNSS 2023

306. Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison.—The provisions of this Chapter shall be without prejudice to the power of the Court to issue, under section 319, a commission for the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison; and the provisions of Part B of Chapter XXV shall apply in relation to the examination on commission of any such person in the prison as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.

When It Applies: CrPC 271 vs BNSS 306

Under CrPC 271
  1. Section 271 CrPC speaks of the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison.
  2. The Court has the power to issue, under Section 284 CrPC, a commission for that examination, and the provisions of the Chapter in which Section 271 CrPC stands are without prejudice to that power.
  3. The provisions of Part B of Chapter XXIII apply in relation to the examination on commission of such a person in the prison as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.
Under BNSS 306
  1. Section 306 BNSS speaks of the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison.
  2. The Court has the power to issue, under Section 319 BNSS, a commission for that examination, and the provisions of the Chapter in which Section 306 BNSS stands are without prejudice to that power.
  3. The provisions of Part B of Chapter XXV apply in relation to the examination on commission of such a person in the prison as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.

What CrPC 271 to BNSS 306 Means in Practice

Section 306 BNSS names the power of the Court to issue a commission under Section 319 BNSS for the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison. Section 271 CrPC named the same power under Section 284 CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 271 to BNSS 306

Which BNSS section replaced Section 271 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 271 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same: power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison.

Which cross-references differ between Section 271 CrPC and Section 306 BNSS?▼

Section 306 BNSS refers to Section 319 BNSS where Section 271 CrPC referred to Section 284 CrPC. Section 306 BNSS refers to Part B of Chapter XXV where Section 271 CrPC referred to Part B of Chapter XXIII.

Is the rest of the text of Section 271 CrPC different in Section 306 BNSS?▼

No. Apart from the cross-references to Section 319 BNSS and Part B of Chapter XXV, Section 306 BNSS has the same text as Section 271 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: 21 Oct 2026 ·