CrPC 4→BNSS 4

CrPC 4 to BNSS 4: Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws

Section 4 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 4 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 4 →View BNSS Section 4 →

CrPC 4 to BNSS 4 at a Glance

Section 4 CrPC (Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws) is now Section 4 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 4 to BNSS 4?

Section 4 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 4 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024 with the same section and sub-section numbering. The only wording differences are in the section heading and in Section 4(1) BNSS, where the reference to the Indian Penal Code in Section 4(1) CrPC is replaced with a reference to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Those updated statutory references are changes of form. Both the rule in Section 4(1) BNSS and the entire text of Section 4(2) BNSS for offences under any other law are unchanged.

CrPC 4 vs BNSS 4: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section44
HeadingTrial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other lawsTrial of offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and other laws
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 4 and BNSS 4: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 4, CrPC 1973

4. Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws.—(1) All offences under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the provisions hereinafter contained. (2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, but subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with such offences.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 4, BNSS 2023

4. Trial of offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and other laws.—(1) All offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the provisions hereinafter contained. (2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, but subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with such offences.

When It Applies: CrPC 4 vs BNSS 4

Under CrPC 4
  1. Every offence under the Indian Penal Code shall be handled at every stage, from investigation and inquiry to trial and other proceedings, under Section 4(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
  2. Investigations, inquiries, trials, and other proceedings for Indian Penal Code offences shall follow the procedural provisions set out in the Code under Section 4(1) CrPC.
  3. Where an offence is created by a law other than the Indian Penal Code, the procedures in the Code shall still govern its investigation, inquiry, trial, and other handling under Section 4(2) CrPC.
  4. Section 4(2) CrPC makes the procedure in the Code subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with offences under that other law.
Under BNSS 4
  1. Every offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 shall be handled across investigation, inquiry, trial, and all other stages under Section 4(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
  2. Investigations, inquiries, trials, and other proceedings for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 shall follow the procedural provisions set out in the Sanhita under Section 4(1) BNSS.
  3. Where an offence is under any law other than the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the procedures in the Sanhita shall govern its investigation, inquiry, trial, and other handling under Section 4(2) BNSS.
  4. Section 4(2) BNSS makes the procedure in the Sanhita subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with offences under that other law.

What CrPC 4 to BNSS 4 Means in Practice

Moving from Section 4 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to Section 4 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 makes no substantive change to the procedural rule. Under Section 4(1) BNSS, all offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the Sanhita. Under Section 4(2) BNSS, offences under any other law still follow the same provisions, subject to any enactment in force regulating their manner or place.

FAQs: CrPC 4 to BNSS 4

Where is Section 4 CrPC found from 1 July 2024?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. From 1 July 2024, the provisions of Section 4 CrPC are found in Section 4 BNSS, with Section 4(1) CrPC corresponding to Section 4(1) BNSS and Section 4(2) CrPC corresponding to Section 4(2) BNSS. No new sub-sections were added and no sub-sections were omitted.

What changed in Section 4(1) BNSS compared to Section 4(1) CrPC?▼

Section 4(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 referred to offences under the Indian Penal Code, whereas Section 4(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 refers to offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Updating that statutory reference is a change of form. The rule that all such offences shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the provisions contained in the statute is unchanged.

Did Section 4(2) BNSS change the rule for offences under any other law?▼

No, the rule in Section 4(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is unchanged from Section 4(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Both provisions state that all offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of dealing with such offences.

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 ·