CrPC 344→BNSS 383

CrPC 344 to BNSS 383: Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence

Section 344 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 383 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 344 →View BNSS Section 383 →

CrPC 344 to BNSS 383 at a Glance

Section 344 CrPC (Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence) is now Section 383 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 344 to BNSS 383?

Section 344 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 383 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, under the same heading. Section 383(1) BNSS states the fine as one thousand rupees where Section 344(1) CrPC stated the fine as five hundred rupees. Section 383(3) BNSS refers to Section 379 BNSS where Section 344(3) CrPC referred to Section 340 CrPC. Section 383(2) BNSS and Section 383(4) BNSS have the same text as Section 344(2) CrPC and Section 344(4) CrPC.

CrPC 344 vs BNSS 383: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section344383
HeadingSummary procedure for trial for giving false evidenceSame
Sub-sections4 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.340s.379

CrPC 344 and BNSS 383: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 344, CrPC 1973

344. Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence.—(1) If, at the time of delivery of any judgment or final order disposing of any judicial proceeding, a Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class expresses an opinion to the effect that any witness appearing in such proceeding had knowingly or wilfully given false evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence should be used in such proceeding, it or he may, if satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the witness should be tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence, take cognizance of the offence and may, after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished for such offence, try such offender summarily and sentence him to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or to fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both. (2) In every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable, the procedure prescribed for summary trials. (3) Nothing in this section shall affect the power of the Court to make a complaint under section 340 for the offence, where it does not choose to proceed under this section. (4) Where, after any action is initiated under sub-section (1), it is made to appear to the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class that an appeal or an application for revision has been preferred or filed against the judgment or order in which the opinion referred to in that sub-section has been expressed, it or he shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be, and thereupon the further proceedings of the trial shall abide by the results of the appeal or application for revision.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 383, BNSS 2023

383. Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence.—(1) If, at the time of delivery of any judgment or final order disposing of any judicial proceeding, a Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class expresses an opinion to the effect that any witness appearing in such proceeding had knowingly or wilfully given false evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence should be used in such proceeding, it or he may, if satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the witness should be tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence, take cognizance of the offence and may, after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished for such offence, try such offender summarily and sentence him to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or to fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. (2) In every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable, the procedure prescribed for summary trials. (3) Nothing in this section shall affect the power of the Court to make a complaint under section 379 for the offence, where it does not choose to proceed under this section. (4) Where, after any action is initiated under sub-section (1), it is made to appear to the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class that an appeal or an application for revision has been preferred or filed against the judgment or order in which the opinion referred to in that sub-section has been expressed, it or he shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be, and thereupon the further proceedings of the trial shall abide by the results of the appeal or application for revision.

When It Applies: CrPC 344 vs BNSS 383

Under CrPC 344
  1. Under Section 344(1) CrPC, the power arises if, at the time of delivery of any judgment or final order disposing of any judicial proceeding, a Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class expresses an opinion to the effect that any witness appearing in such proceeding had knowingly or wilfully given false evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence should be used in such proceeding.
  2. Under Section 344(1) CrPC, it or he may, if satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the witness should be tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence, take cognizance of the offence and may, after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished for such offence, try such offender summarily.
  3. Under Section 344(1) CrPC, the sentence may be imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or both.
  4. Under Section 344(2) CrPC, in every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable, the procedure prescribed for summary trials.
  5. Under Section 344(4) CrPC, where, after any action is initiated under Section 344(1) CrPC, it is made to appear that an appeal or an application for revision has been preferred or filed against the judgment or order in which the opinion has been expressed, the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be.
Under BNSS 383
  1. Under Section 383(1) BNSS, the power arises if, at the time of delivery of any judgment or final order disposing of any judicial proceeding, a Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class expresses an opinion to the effect that any witness appearing in such proceeding had knowingly or wilfully given false evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence should be used in such proceeding.
  2. Under Section 383(1) BNSS, it or he may, if satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the witness should be tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence, take cognizance of the offence and may, after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished for such offence, try such offender summarily.
  3. Under Section 383(1) BNSS, the sentence may be imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.
  4. Under Section 383(2) BNSS, in every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable, the procedure prescribed for summary trials.
  5. Under Section 383(4) BNSS, where, after any action is initiated under Section 383(1) BNSS, it is made to appear that an appeal or an application for revision has been preferred or filed against the judgment or order in which the opinion has been expressed, the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be.

What CrPC 344 to BNSS 383 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, a Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class trying a witness summarily for giving false evidence looks to Section 383 BNSS where Section 344 CrPC applied before. The fine under Section 383(1) BNSS may extend to one thousand rupees, where the fine under Section 344(1) CrPC could extend to five hundred rupees.

FAQs: CrPC 344 to BNSS 383

Where is Section 344 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 344 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 383 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 344(1) CrPC is found in Section 383(1) BNSS, Section 344(2) CrPC in Section 383(2) BNSS, Section 344(3) CrPC in Section 383(3) BNSS and Section 344(4) CrPC in Section 383(4) BNSS.

Did the fine change between Section 344(1) CrPC and Section 383(1) BNSS?▼

Section 383(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 states the fine as one thousand rupees, where Section 344(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 stated the fine as five hundred rupees. The term of imprisonment is stated as three months in both.

Did the effect of an appeal or revision on the trial change between Section 344(4) CrPC and Section 383(4) BNSS?▼

Section 383(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has the same text as Section 344(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Under both, the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be.

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 ·