CrPC 294→BNSS 330

CrPC 294 to BNSS 330: No formal proof of certain documents

Section 294 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 330 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 294 →View BNSS Section 330 →

CrPC 294 to BNSS 330 at a Glance

Section 294 CrPC (No formal proof of certain documents) is now Section 330 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 294 to BNSS 330?

From 1 July 2024, Section 330 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 294 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, with the same heading. Section 330(1) BNSS adds the words soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply, a first proviso on relaxing the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing, and a second proviso that no expert shall be called to appear before the Court unless the report of such expert is disputed by any of the parties to the trial. Section 330(1) BNSS reads advocate where Section 294(1) CrPC read pleader. Section 330(2) BNSS reads such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide where Section 294(2) CrPC read such form as may be prescribed by the State Government. Section 330(3) BNSS reads the person by whom it purports to be signed where Section 294(3) CrPC read the person to whom it purports to be signed, and Sanhita where Section 294(3) CrPC read Code.

CrPC 294 vs BNSS 330: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section294330
HeadingNo formal proof of certain documentsSame
Sub-sections3 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 294 and BNSS 330: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 294, CrPC 1973

294. No formal proof of certain documents.—(1) Where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list and the prosecution or the accused, as the case may be, or the pleader for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document. (2) The list of documents shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the State Government. (3) Where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, such document may be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code without proof of the signature of the person to whom it purports to be signed: Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 330, BNSS 2023

330. No formal proof of certain documents.—(1) Where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list and the prosecution or the accused or the advocate for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply: Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, relax the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing: Provided further that no expert shall be called to appear before the Court unless the report of such expert is disputed by any of the parties to the trial. (2) The list of documents shall be in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide. (3) Where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, such document may be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita without proof of the signature of the person by whom it purports to be signed: Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.

When It Applies: CrPC 294 vs BNSS 330

Under CrPC 294
  1. Under Section 294(1) CrPC, where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list.
  2. The prosecution or the accused, as the case may be, or the pleader for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document.
  3. Section 294(2) CrPC provides that the list of documents shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the State Government.
  4. Under Section 294(3) CrPC, where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, the document may be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under the Code without proof of the signature of the person to whom it purports to be signed.
  5. The proviso to Section 294(3) CrPC provides that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.
Under BNSS 330
  1. Under Section 330(1) BNSS, where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list.
  2. The prosecution or the accused or the advocate for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document.
  3. The second proviso to Section 330(1) BNSS provides that no expert shall be called to appear before the Court unless the report of such expert is disputed by any of the parties to the trial.
  4. Section 330(2) BNSS provides that the list of documents shall be in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide.
  5. Under Section 330(3) BNSS, where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, the document may be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under the Sanhita without proof of the signature of the person by whom it purports to be signed.
  6. The proviso to Section 330(3) BNSS provides that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.

Time Limits: CrPC 294 to BNSS 330

Under CrPC 294

Section 294 CrPC states no time limit.

Under BNSS 330
  • Under Section 330(1) BNSS, the prosecution or the accused or the advocate for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply.Act text: “soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply”
  • The first proviso to Section 330(1) BNSS provides that the Court may, in its discretion, relax the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing.Act text: “Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, relax the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing”

What CrPC 294 to BNSS 330 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the provision on documents filed by the prosecution or the accused is Section 330 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 294 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 330(1) BNSS contains the words soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply, and the second proviso on experts, which Section 294(1) CrPC does not contain.

FAQs: CrPC 294 to BNSS 330

Does Section 294 CrPC contain the thirty days found in Section 330 BNSS?▼

No. Section 294(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 provides that the prosecution or the accused, as the case may be, or the pleader for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document, and has no counterpart to the words soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply. Those words are in Section 330(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, followed by a first proviso on the Court relaxing the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing.

What does Section 330 BNSS say about experts that Section 294 CrPC does not?▼

The second proviso to Section 330(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 provides that no expert shall be called to appear before the Court unless the report of such expert is disputed by any of the parties to the trial. Section 294 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 has no counterpart to this proviso.

Which words of Section 294(3) CrPC differ in Section 330(3) BNSS?▼

Section 330(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads this Sanhita where Section 294(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read this Code, and the person by whom it purports to be signed where Section 294(3) CrPC read the person to whom it purports to be signed. The proviso to Section 330(3) BNSS and the proviso to Section 294(3) CrPC are in the same words.

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 ·