CrPC 403→BNSS 444

CrPC 403 to BNSS 444: Option of Court to hear parties

Section 403 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 444 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 403 →View BNSS Section 444 →

CrPC 403 to BNSS 444 at a Glance

Section 403 CrPC (Option of Court to hear parties) is now Section 444 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 403 to BNSS 444?

From 1 July 2024, Section 444 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 403 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 under the same heading, Option of Court to hear parties. Section 444 BNSS reads Sanhita where Section 403 CrPC read Code, and reads an advocate in both places where Section 403 CrPC read pleader.

CrPC 403 vs BNSS 444: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section403444
HeadingOption of Court to hear partiesSame

CrPC 403 and BNSS 444: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 403, CrPC 1973

403. Option of Court to hear parties.—Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Code, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by pleader before any Court exercising its powers of revision; but the Court may, if it thinks fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party either personally or by pleader.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 444, BNSS 2023

444. Option of Court to hear parties.—Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Sanhita, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by an advocate before any Court exercising its powers of revision; but the Court may, if it thinks fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party either personally or by an advocate.

When It Applies: CrPC 403 vs BNSS 444

Under CrPC 403
  1. Save as otherwise expressly provided by the Code, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by pleader before any Court exercising its powers of revision.
  2. Section 403 CrPC begins with the words Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Code.
  3. A Court exercising its powers of revision may, if it thinks fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party.
  4. A Court that hears a party when exercising its powers of revision may hear the party either personally or by pleader.
Under BNSS 444
  1. Save as otherwise expressly provided by the Sanhita, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by an advocate before any Court exercising its powers of revision.
  2. Section 444 BNSS begins with the words Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Sanhita.
  3. A Court exercising its powers of revision may, if it thinks fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party.
  4. A Court that hears a party when exercising its powers of revision may hear the party either personally or by an advocate.

What CrPC 403 to BNSS 444 Means in Practice

Section 444 BNSS reads on the same subject as Section 403 CrPC: the right to be heard before a Court exercising its powers of revision, and the Court's power to hear any party if it thinks fit. The words Sanhita and advocate appear in Section 444 BNSS where the words Code and pleader appeared in Section 403 CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 403 to BNSS 444

Which provision of the BNSS is Section 403 CrPC found in?▼

Section 403 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 444 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Both have the same heading, Option of Court to hear parties.

Did Section 444 BNSS change the words on the right to be heard in revision?▼

Section 444 BNSS reads no party has any right to be heard either personally or by an advocate where Section 403 CrPC read no party has any right to be heard either personally or by pleader. The word pleader is replaced by the words an advocate. The rest of the sentence has the same text.

What other wording differs between Section 403 CrPC and Section 444 BNSS?▼

Section 444 BNSS reads Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Sanhita where Section 403 CrPC read Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Code. Section 444 BNSS reads hear any party either personally or by an advocate where Section 403 CrPC read hear any party either personally or by pleader.

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 ·