CrPC 50A→BNSS 48

CrPC 50A to BNSS 48: Obligation of person making arrest to inform about the arrest, etc., to a nominated person

Section 50A CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 48 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 50A →View BNSS Section 48 →

CrPC 50A to BNSS 48 at a Glance

Section 50A CrPC (Obligation of person making arrest to inform about the arrest, etc., to a nominated person) is now Section 48 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 50A to BNSS 48?

Section 50A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 48 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 48(1) BNSS adds that the information regarding the arrest and place where the arrested person is being held shall also be given to the designated police officer in the district. Section 48(1) BNSS reads relatives, friends where Section 50A(1) CrPC read friends, relatives, and the heading ends to relative or friend where Section 50A CrPC ended to a nominated person. Section 48(3) BNSS reads in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide where Section 50A(3) CrPC read in such form as may be prescribed in this behalf by the State Government. Section 48(2) BNSS and Section 48(4) BNSS have the same text as Section 50A(2) CrPC and Section 50A(4) CrPC.

CrPC 50A vs BNSS 48: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section50A48
HeadingObligation of person making arrest to inform about the arrest, etc., to a nominated personObligation of person making arrest to inform about arrest, etc., to relative or friend
Sub-sections4 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 50A and BNSS 48: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 50A, CrPC 1973

50A. Obligation of person making arrest to inform about the arrest, etc., to a nominated person.—(1) Every police officer or other person making any arrest under this Code shall forthwith give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held to any of his friends, relatives or such other persons as may be disclosed or nominated by the arrested person for the purpose of giving such information. (2) The police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under sub-section (1) as soon as he is brought to the police station. (3) An entry of the fact as to who has been informed of the arrest of such person shall be made in a book to be kept in the police station in such form as may be prescribed in this behalf by the State Government. (4) It shall be the duty of the Magistrate before whom such arrested person is produced, to satisfy himself that the requirements of sub-section (2) and sub-section (3) have been complied with in respect of such arrested person.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 48, BNSS 2023

48. Obligation of person making arrest to inform about arrest, etc., to relative or friend.—(1) Every police officer or other person making any arrest under this Sanhita shall forthwith give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held to any of his relatives, friends or such other persons as may be disclosed or nominated by the arrested person for the purpose of giving such information and also to the designated police officer in the district. (2) The police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under sub-section (1) as soon as he is brought to the police station. (3) An entry of the fact as to who has been informed of the arrest of such person shall be made in a book to be kept in the police station in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide. (4) It shall be the duty of the Magistrate before whom such arrested person is produced, to satisfy himself that the requirements of sub-section (2) and sub-section (3) have been complied with in respect of such arrested person.

When It Applies: CrPC 50A vs BNSS 48

Under CrPC 50A
  1. Under Section 50A(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every police officer or other person making any arrest under this Code shall give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held to any of his friends, relatives or such other persons as may be disclosed or nominated by the arrested person for the purpose of giving such information.
  2. Under Section 50A(2) CrPC, the police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under Section 50A(1) CrPC.
  3. Under Section 50A(3) CrPC, an entry of the fact as to who has been informed of the arrest of such person shall be made in a book to be kept in the police station in such form as may be prescribed in this behalf by the State Government.
  4. Under Section 50A(4) CrPC, it shall be the duty of the Magistrate before whom such arrested person is produced, to satisfy himself that the requirements of Section 50A(2) CrPC and Section 50A(3) CrPC have been complied with in respect of such arrested person.
Under BNSS 48
  1. Under Section 48(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every police officer or other person making any arrest under this Sanhita shall give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held to any of his relatives, friends or such other persons as may be disclosed or nominated by the arrested person for the purpose of giving such information.
  2. Under Section 48(1) BNSS, the information shall also be given to the designated police officer in the district.
  3. Under Section 48(2) BNSS, the police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under Section 48(1) BNSS.
  4. Under Section 48(3) BNSS, an entry of the fact as to who has been informed of the arrest of such person shall be made in a book to be kept in the police station in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide.
  5. Under Section 48(4) BNSS, it shall be the duty of the Magistrate before whom such arrested person is produced, to satisfy himself that the requirements of Section 48(2) BNSS and Section 48(3) BNSS have been complied with in respect of such arrested person.

Time Limits: CrPC 50A to BNSS 48

Under CrPC 50A
  • Under Section 50A(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the information regarding the arrest and the place where the arrested person is being held shall be given forthwith.Act text: “shall forthwith give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held”
  • Under Section 50A(2) CrPC, the police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under Section 50A(1) CrPC as soon as he is brought to the police station.Act text: “as soon as he is brought to the police station”
Under BNSS 48
  • Under Section 48(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the information regarding the arrest and the place where the arrested person is being held shall be given forthwith.Act text: “shall forthwith give the information regarding such arrest and place where the arrested person is being held”
  • Under Section 48(2) BNSS, the police officer shall inform the arrested person of his rights under Section 48(1) BNSS as soon as he is brought to the police station.Act text: “as soon as he is brought to the police station”

What CrPC 50A to BNSS 48 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the duty to inform about an arrest is found in Section 48 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 50A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The police officer or other person making the arrest shall forthwith give the information regarding the arrest and place where the arrested person is being held to the relatives, friends or other persons disclosed or nominated by the arrested person, and also to the designated police officer in the district. Section 48(2) BNSS and Section 48(4) BNSS, on informing the arrested person of these rights and on the duty of the Magistrate, have the same text. Section 48(3) BNSS keeps the entry in the police station book in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide. Section 50A(3) CrPC read in such form as may be prescribed in this behalf by the State Government.

FAQs: CrPC 50A to BNSS 48

Where is Section 50A CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 50A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 48 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 50A(1) CrPC maps to Section 48(1) BNSS, Section 50A(2) CrPC maps to Section 48(2) BNSS, Section 50A(3) CrPC maps to Section 48(3) BNSS, and Section 50A(4) CrPC maps to Section 48(4) BNSS.

Who else must be informed of an arrest under Section 48(1) BNSS?▼

Under Section 50A(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the information was given to any of the friends, relatives or such other persons as may be disclosed or nominated by the arrested person. Section 48(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 adds that the information shall also be given to the designated police officer in the district.

Did the duties at the police station or of the Magistrate change in Section 48 BNSS?▼

Section 48(2) and Section 48(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 have the same text as Section 50A(2) and Section 50A(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 48(3) BNSS reads in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide where Section 50A(3) CrPC read in such form as may be prescribed in this behalf by the State Government.

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 ·