CrPC 303→BNSS 340

CrPC 303 to BNSS 340: Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended

Section 303 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 340 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 303 →View BNSS Section 340 →

CrPC 303 to BNSS 340 at a Glance

Section 303 CrPC (Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended) is now Section 340 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 303 to BNSS 340?

From 1 July 2024, Section 340 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, with the same heading. Section 340 BNSS reads Sanhita where Section 303 CrPC read Code, and an advocate of his choice where Section 303 CrPC read a pleader of his choice.

CrPC 303 vs BNSS 340: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section303340
HeadingRight of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defendedSame

CrPC 303 and BNSS 340: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 303, CrPC 1973

303. Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended.—Any person accused of an offence before a Criminal Court, or against whom proceedings are instituted under this Code, may of right be defended by a pleader of his choice.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 340, BNSS 2023

340. Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended.—Any person accused of an offence before a Criminal Court, or against whom proceedings are instituted under this Sanhita, may of right be defended by an advocate of his choice.

When It Applies: CrPC 303 vs BNSS 340

Under CrPC 303
  1. Under Section 303 CrPC, any person accused of an offence before a Criminal Court may of right be defended by a pleader of his choice.
  2. Under Section 303 CrPC, any person against whom proceedings are instituted under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 may of right be defended by a pleader of his choice.
Under BNSS 340
  1. Under Section 340 BNSS, any person accused of an offence before a Criminal Court may of right be defended by an advocate of his choice.
  2. Under Section 340 BNSS, any person against whom proceedings are instituted under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 may of right be defended by an advocate of his choice.

What CrPC 303 to BNSS 340 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the provision on the right of a person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended is Section 340 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

FAQs: CrPC 303 to BNSS 340

Where is Section 303 CrPC found in Section 340 BNSS?▼

Section 303 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 340 BNSS, from 1 July 2024.

Which words of Section 303 CrPC differ in Section 340 BNSS?▼

Section 340 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads this Sanhita where Section 303 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read this Code, and an advocate of his choice where Section 303 CrPC read a pleader of his choice. The rest of Section 340 BNSS is in the same words as Section 303 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 ·