CrPC 469→BNSS 515

CrPC 469 to BNSS 515: Commencement of the period of limitation

Section 469 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 515 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 469 →View BNSS Section 515 →

CrPC 469 to BNSS 515 at a Glance

Section 469 CrPC (Commencement of the period of limitation) is now Section 515 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 469 to BNSS 515?

Section 469 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found from 1 July 2024 as Section 515 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same text. Section 515(1) BNSS and Section 515(2) BNSS are Section 469(1) CrPC and Section 469(2) CrPC. The text contains no cross-reference to another section, so none is renumbered.

CrPC 469 vs BNSS 515: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section469515
HeadingCommencement of the period of limitationCommencement of period of limitation
Sub-sections2 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 469 and BNSS 515: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 469, CrPC 1973

469. Commencement of the period of limitation.—(1) The period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence,— (a) on the date of the offence; or (b) where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer, the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier; or (c) where it is not known by whom the offence was committed, the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier. (2) In computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 515, BNSS 2023

515. Commencement of period of limitation.—(1) The period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence,— (a) on the date of the offence; or (b) where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer, the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier; or (c) where it is not known by whom the offence was committed, the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier. (2) In computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

When It Applies: CrPC 469 vs BNSS 515

Under CrPC 469
  1. Section 469(1)(a) CrPC states that the period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence on the date of the offence.
  2. Section 469(1)(b) CrPC applies where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer. The period shall commence on the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier.
  3. Section 469(1)(c) CrPC applies where it is not known by whom the offence was committed. The period shall commence on the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.
  4. Section 469(2) CrPC states that in computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.
Under BNSS 515
  1. Section 515(1)(a) BNSS states that the period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence on the date of the offence.
  2. Section 515(1)(b) BNSS applies where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer. The period shall commence on the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier.
  3. Section 515(1)(c) BNSS applies where it is not known by whom the offence was committed. The period shall commence on the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.
  4. Section 515(2) BNSS states that in computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

What CrPC 469 to BNSS 515 Means in Practice

A reader applying Section 515 BNSS finds the same words on when the period of limitation shall commence in relation to an offender, and on the exclusion of the day from which such period is to be computed, as in Section 469 CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 469 to BNSS 515

Which BNSS section carries Section 469 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 469(1) CrPC is found in Section 515(1) BNSS and Section 469(2) CrPC in Section 515(2) BNSS. Section 515 BNSS is headed Commencement of period of limitation.

Is the text of Section 515 BNSS the same as Section 469 CrPC?▼

Section 515 BNSS has the same text as Section 469 CrPC. Section 515(1) BNSS is Section 469(1) CrPC and Section 515(2) BNSS is Section 469(2) CrPC.

Does Section 515 BNSS renumber any cross-reference?▼

Section 469 CrPC contains no cross-reference to another section, so Section 515 BNSS has none to renumber.

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: 26 Oct 2026 ·