CrPC 357C→BNSS 397

CrPC 357C to BNSS 397: Treatment of victims

Section 357C CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 397 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 357C →View BNSS Section 397 →

CrPC 357C to BNSS 397 at a Glance

Section 357C CrPC (Treatment of victims) is now Section 397 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 357C to BNSS 397?

Section 397 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 357C CrPC, except that Section 397 BNSS names Section 64 BNS, Section 65 BNS, Section 66 BNS, Section 67 BNS, Section 68 BNS, Section 70 BNS, Section 71 BNS and Section 124(1) BNS where Section 357C CrPC named Section 326A IPC, Section 376 IPC, Section 376A IPC, Section 376AB IPC, Section 376B IPC, Section 376C IPC, Section 376D IPC, Section 376DA IPC, Section 376DB IPC and Section 376E IPC, and adds Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

CrPC 357C vs BNSS 397: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section357C397
HeadingTreatment of victimsSame

CrPC 357C and BNSS 397: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 357C, CrPC 1973

357C. Treatment of victims.—All hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person, shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of any offence covered under section 326A, 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and shall immediately inform the police of such incident.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 397, BNSS 2023

397. Treatment of victims.—All hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person, shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of any offence covered under section 64, section 65, section 66, section 67, section 68, section 70, section 71 or sub-section (1) of section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or under sections 4, 6, 8 or section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and shall immediately inform the police of such incident.

When It Applies: CrPC 357C vs BNSS 397

Under CrPC 357C
  1. The provision speaks of all hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person.
  2. They shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost.
  3. The treatment is for the victims of any offence covered under Section 326A IPC, Section 376 IPC, Section 376A IPC, Section 376AB IPC, Section 376B IPC, Section 376C IPC, Section 376D IPC, Section 376DA IPC, Section 376DB IPC or Section 376E IPC.
  4. They shall also immediately inform the police of such incident.
Under BNSS 397
  1. The provision speaks of all hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person.
  2. They shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost.
  3. The treatment is for the victims of any offence covered under Section 64 BNS, Section 65 BNS, Section 66 BNS, Section 67 BNS, Section 68 BNS, Section 70 BNS, Section 71 BNS or Section 124(1) BNS.
  4. The treatment is also for the victims of any offence covered under Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 or Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
  5. They shall also immediately inform the police of such incident.

Time Limits: CrPC 357C to BNSS 397

Under CrPC 357C
  • The hospitals shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost.Act text: “shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost”
  • The hospitals shall immediately inform the police of such incident.Act text: “shall immediately inform the police of such incident”
Under BNSS 397
  • The hospitals shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost.Act text: “shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost”
  • The hospitals shall immediately inform the police of such incident.Act text: “shall immediately inform the police of such incident”

What CrPC 357C to BNSS 397 Means in Practice

Section 357C CrPC reads that all hospitals shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of any offence covered under the listed sections of the Indian Penal Code, and shall immediately inform the police of such incident. Section 397 BNSS reads the same for the listed sections of the BNS and for the listed sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

FAQs: CrPC 357C to BNSS 397

Where is Section 357C CrPC found in the BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 357C CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 397 BNSS.

Does Section 397 BNSS name different offences from Section 357C CrPC?▼

Yes. Section 397 BNSS names Section 64 BNS, Section 65 BNS, Section 66 BNS, Section 67 BNS, Section 68 BNS, Section 70 BNS, Section 71 BNS and Section 124(1) BNS where Section 357C CrPC named Section 326A IPC, Section 376 IPC, Section 376A IPC, Section 376AB IPC, Section 376B IPC, Section 376C IPC, Section 376D IPC, Section 376DA IPC, Section 376DB IPC and Section 376E IPC.

Does Section 397 BNSS name the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012?▼

Yes. Section 397 BNSS adds Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Section 357C CrPC names only sections of the Indian Penal Code.

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 ·