CrPC 416→BNSS 456

CrPC 416 to BNSS 456: Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman

Section 416 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 456 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 416 →View BNSS Section 456 →

CrPC 416 to BNSS 456 at a Glance

Section 416 CrPC (Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman) is now Section 456 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 416 to BNSS 456?

Section 416 CrPC became Section 456 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The text is the same. The heading reads Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman in Section 456 BNSS where it read Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman in Section 416 CrPC.

CrPC 416 vs BNSS 456: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section416456
HeadingPostponement of capital sentence on pregnant womanCommutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman

CrPC 416 and BNSS 456: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 416, CrPC 1973

416. Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman.—If a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 456, BNSS 2023

456. Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman.—If a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.

When It Applies: CrPC 416 vs BNSS 456

Under CrPC 416
  1. Section 416 CrPC applies when a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant.
  2. The High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
Under BNSS 456
  1. Section 456 BNSS applies when a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant.
  2. The High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.

What CrPC 416 to BNSS 456 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the provision on a woman sentenced to death who is found to be pregnant is found in Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The words of the text are the same as in Section 416 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the heading is worded differently.

FAQs: CrPC 416 to BNSS 456

What changed when Section 416 CrPC became Section 456 BNSS?▼

The section number and the heading. The text is the same. The heading reads Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman in Section 456 BNSS where it read Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman in Section 416 CrPC.

Is the text of Section 456 BNSS different from Section 416 CrPC?▼

No. In both, if a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.

What does the heading of Section 456 BNSS say?▼

Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman.

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: 20 Oct 2026 ·