CrPC 457→BNSS 503

CrPC 457 to BNSS 503: Procedure by police upon seizure of property

Section 457 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 503 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 457 →View BNSS Section 503 →

CrPC 457 to BNSS 503 at a Glance

Section 457 CrPC (Procedure by police upon seizure of property) is now Section 503 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 457 to BNSS 503?

Section 457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 becomes Section 503 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024 with only changes of form. The provision is renumbered from Section 457 CrPC to Section 503 BNSS, and in Section 503(1) BNSS the words this Sanhita replace the words this Code from Section 457(1) CrPC. Every substantive rule is unchanged, including the Magistrate's power to order disposal, delivery, or custody and production of seized property not produced before a Criminal Court, as well as the Section 503(2) BNSS proclamation procedure and claim deadline of six months.

CrPC 457 vs BNSS 503: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section457503
HeadingProcedure by police upon seizure of propertySame
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 457 and BNSS 503: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 457, CrPC 1973

457. Procedure by police upon seizure of property.—(1) Whenever the seizure of property by any police officer is reported to a Magistrate under the provisions of this Code, and such property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit respecting the disposal of such property or the delivery of such property to the person entitled to the possession thereof, or if such person cannot be ascertained, respecting the custody and production of such property. (2) If the person so entitled is known, the Magistrate may order the property to be delivered to him on such conditions (if any) as the Magistrate thinks fit and if such person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain it and shall, in such case, issue a proclamation specifying the articles of which such property consists, and requiring any person who may have a claim thereto, to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from the date of such proclamation.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 503, BNSS 2023

503. Procedure by police upon seizure of property.—(1) Whenever the seizure of property by any police officer is reported to a Magistrate under the provisions of this Sanhita, and such property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit respecting the disposal of such property or the delivery of such property to the person entitled to the possession thereof, or if such person cannot be ascertained, respecting the custody and production of such property. (2) If the person so entitled is known, the Magistrate may order the property to be delivered to him on such conditions (if any) as the Magistrate thinks fit and if such person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain it and shall, in such case, issue a proclamation specifying the articles of which such property consists, and requiring any person who may have a claim thereto, to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from the date of such proclamation.

When It Applies: CrPC 457 vs BNSS 503

Under CrPC 457
  1. When a police officer reports a seizure of property under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, a Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit to dispose of the property or hand it over to the person entitled to possess it.
  2. If the person entitled to possess the seized property cannot be ascertained, the Magistrate may pass an order under Section 457(1) CrPC for keeping the property in custody and producing it when needed.
  3. Where the rightful possessor is known, the Magistrate may under Section 457(2) CrPC direct that the property be handed over to that person subject to any conditions as the Magistrate thinks fit.
  4. Where the rightful possessor is unknown, the Magistrate may hold the seized property and shall issue a public proclamation listing the articles so that any person with a claim may appear before the Magistrate and prove that claim.
Under BNSS 503
  1. When a police officer reports a seizure of property under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, a Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit to dispose of the property or hand it over to the person entitled to possess it.
  2. If the person entitled to possess the seized property cannot be ascertained, the Magistrate may pass an order under Section 503(1) BNSS for keeping the property in custody and producing it when required.
  3. Where the rightful possessor is known, the Magistrate may under Section 503(2) BNSS direct that the property be handed over to that person subject to any conditions as the Magistrate thinks fit.
  4. Where the rightful possessor is unknown, the Magistrate may hold the seized property and shall issue a public proclamation listing the articles so that any person with a claim may appear before the Magistrate and prove that claim.

Time Limits: CrPC 457 to BNSS 503

Under CrPC 457
  • A person who claims detained property for which the Magistrate has issued a proclamation under Section 457(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 must appear before the Magistrate and establish the claim within six months from the date of the proclamation.Act text: “to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from the date of such proclamation”
Under BNSS 503
  • A person who claims detained property for which the Magistrate has issued a proclamation under Section 503(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 must appear before the Magistrate and establish the claim within six months from the date of the proclamation.Act text: “to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from the date of such proclamation”

What CrPC 457 to BNSS 503 Means in Practice

Because the changes between Section 457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Section 503 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 are only changes of form, the legal procedure remains unchanged from 1 July 2024. When police report a seizure of property that is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate exercises the same powers over disposal, conditional delivery, custody, and detention, and claimants still have six months from a proclamation to establish their claims.

FAQs: CrPC 457 to BNSS 503

Which section of the BNSS replaces Section 457 CrPC?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 503 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaces Section 457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Specifically, Section 457(1) CrPC corresponds to Section 503(1) BNSS and Section 457(2) CrPC corresponds to Section 503(2) BNSS. The renumbering and the replacement of the word Code with Sanhita are changes of form, while the underlying rules are unchanged.

Did the time limit of six months to claim seized property after a proclamation change in the BNSS?▼

No, the time limit is unchanged between the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Under both Section 457(2) CrPC and Section 503(2) BNSS, when the person entitled to possess the seized property is unknown and the Magistrate detains it and issues a proclamation, any person who may have a claim must appear before the Magistrate and establish that claim within six months from the date of the proclamation.

Did the Magistrate's powers over seized property not produced before a Criminal Court change under Section 503 BNSS?▼

No, the Magistrate's powers are unchanged between Section 457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Section 503 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Under both provisions, when a police seizure is reported to a Magistrate and the property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit for its disposal, delivery to the person entitled to possession, or custody and production.

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 ·