CrPC 37→BNSS 31

CrPC 37 to BNSS 31: Public when to assist Magistrates and police

Section 37 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 31 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 37 →View BNSS Section 31 →

CrPC 37 to BNSS 31 at a Glance

Section 37 CrPC (Public when to assist Magistrates and police) is now Section 31 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 37 to BNSS 31?

Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, with the same heading. Section 31(c) BNSS reads in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property, and does not contain the words railway, canal, telegraph found in Section 37(c) CrPC. The opening words, Section 31(a) BNSS and Section 31(b) BNSS have the same text as Section 37 CrPC.

CrPC 37 vs BNSS 31: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section3731
HeadingPublic when to assist Magistrates and policeSame

CrPC 37 and BNSS 31: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 37, CrPC 1973

37. Public when to assist Magistrates and police.—Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid— (a) in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest; or (b) in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace; or (c) in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any railway, canal, telegraph or public property.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 31, BNSS 2023

31. Public when to assist Magistrates and police.—Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid— (a) in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest; or (b) in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace; or (c) in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

When It Applies: CrPC 37 vs BNSS 31

Under CrPC 37
  1. Under Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the cases listed in Section 37(a) CrPC, Section 37(b) CrPC and Section 37(c) CrPC.
  2. Under Section 37(a) CrPC, the aid is in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest.
  3. Under Section 37(b) CrPC, the aid is in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace.
  4. Under Section 37(c) CrPC, the aid is in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any railway, canal, telegraph or public property.
Under BNSS 31
  1. Under Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the cases listed in Section 31(a) BNSS, Section 31(b) BNSS and Section 31(c) BNSS.
  2. Under Section 31(a) BNSS, the aid is in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest.
  3. Under Section 31(b) BNSS, the aid is in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace.
  4. Under Section 31(c) BNSS, the aid is in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

What CrPC 37 to BNSS 31 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the duty of the public to assist Magistrates and police is found in Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in an arrest or preventing an escape, and in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace. Section 31(c) BNSS speaks of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property, and does not name railway, canal or telegraph as Section 37(c) CrPC did.

FAQs: CrPC 37 to BNSS 31

What section of the BNSS replaced Section 37 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 37(a) CrPC maps to Section 31(a) BNSS, Section 37(b) CrPC maps to Section 31(b) BNSS, and Section 37(c) CrPC maps to Section 31(c) BNSS.

What wording changed between Section 37(c) CrPC and Section 31(c) BNSS?▼

Section 37(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any railway, canal, telegraph or public property. Section 31(c) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property, and does not contain the words railway, canal, telegraph.

Did the rules on assisting with arrests or breaches of the peace change in Section 31 BNSS?▼

No. Section 31(a) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Section 31(b) BNSS have the same text as Section 37(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Section 37(b) CrPC. Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest, and in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace.

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: 18 Oct 2026 ·