CrPC 54→BNSS 53

CrPC 54 to BNSS 53: Examination of arrested person by medical officer

Section 54 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 53 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 54 →View BNSS Section 53 →

CrPC 54 to BNSS 53 at a Glance

Section 54 CrPC (Examination of arrested person by medical officer) is now Section 53 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 54 to BNSS 53?

Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 53 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, with the same heading. Section 53(1) BNSS adds a first proviso, with no counterpart in Section 54 CrPC, under which if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of such person is necessary, he may do so. The proviso on the examination of a female becomes the second proviso, with the same text. Section 53(1) BNSS reads the Central Government or a State Government where Section 54(1) CrPC read Central or State Government. Section 53(2) BNSS and Section 53(3) BNSS have the same text as Section 54(2) CrPC and Section 54(3) CrPC.

CrPC 54 vs BNSS 53: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section5453
HeadingExamination of arrested person by medical officerSame
Sub-sections3 sub-sectionsSame

CrPC 54 and BNSS 53: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 54, CrPC 1973

54. Examination of arrested person by medical officer.—(1) When any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of Central or State Government, and in case the medical officer is not available, by a registered medical practitioner soon after the arrest is made: Provided that where the arrested person is a female, the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner. (2) The medical officer or a registered medical practitioner so examining the arrested person shall prepare the record of such examination, mentioning therein any injuries or marks of violence upon the person arrested, and the approximate time when such injuries or marks may have been inflicted. (3) Where an examination is made under sub-section (1), a copy of the report of such examination shall be furnished by the medical officer or registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 53, BNSS 2023

53. Examination of arrested person by medical officer.—(1) When any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of the Central Government or a State Government, and in case the medical officer is not available, by a registered medical practitioner soon after the arrest is made: Provided that if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of such person is necessary, he may do so: Provided further that where the arrested person is a female, the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner. (2) The medical officer or a registered medical practitioner so examining the arrested person shall prepare the record of such examination, mentioning therein any injuries or marks of violence upon the person arrested, and the approximate time when such injuries or marks may have been inflicted. (3) Where an examination is made under sub-section (1), a copy of the report of such examination shall be furnished by the medical officer or registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person.

When It Applies: CrPC 54 vs BNSS 53

Under CrPC 54
  1. Under Section 54(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, when any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of Central or State Government.
  2. Under Section 54(1) CrPC, in case the medical officer is not available, the arrested person shall be examined by a registered medical practitioner.
  3. Under the proviso to Section 54(1) CrPC, where the arrested person is a female, the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner.
  4. Under Section 54(2) CrPC, the medical officer or a registered medical practitioner so examining the arrested person shall prepare the record of such examination, mentioning therein any injuries or marks of violence upon the person arrested, and the approximate time when such injuries or marks may have been inflicted.
  5. Under Section 54(3) CrPC, where an examination is made under Section 54(1) CrPC, a copy of the report of such examination shall be furnished by the medical officer or registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person.
Under BNSS 53
  1. Under Section 53(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, when any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of the Central Government or a State Government.
  2. Under Section 53(1) BNSS, in case the medical officer is not available, the arrested person shall be examined by a registered medical practitioner.
  3. Under the first proviso to Section 53(1) BNSS, if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of such person is necessary, he may do so.
  4. Under the second proviso to Section 53(1) BNSS, where the arrested person is a female, the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner.
  5. Under Section 53(2) BNSS, the medical officer or a registered medical practitioner so examining the arrested person shall prepare the record of such examination, mentioning therein any injuries or marks of violence upon the person arrested, and the approximate time when such injuries or marks may have been inflicted.
  6. Under Section 53(3) BNSS, where an examination is made under Section 53(1) BNSS, a copy of the report of such examination shall be furnished by the medical officer or registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person.

Time Limits: CrPC 54 to BNSS 53

Under CrPC 54
  • Under Section 54(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the arrested person shall be examined soon after the arrest is made.Act text: “soon after the arrest is made”
Under BNSS 53
  • Under Section 53(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the arrested person shall be examined soon after the arrest is made.Act text: “soon after the arrest is made”

What CrPC 54 to BNSS 53 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the examination of an arrested person by a medical officer is found in Section 53 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in place of Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Under the first proviso to Section 53(1) BNSS, if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of the arrested person is necessary, he may do so. The examination of a female, the record of injuries or marks of violence and the copy of the report to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person have the same text.

FAQs: CrPC 54 to BNSS 53

Where is Section 54 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 53 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 54(1) CrPC maps to Section 53(1) BNSS, Section 54(2) CrPC maps to Section 53(2) BNSS, and Section 54(3) CrPC maps to Section 53(3) BNSS.

What does the first proviso to Section 53(1) BNSS add to Section 54 CrPC?▼

Section 53(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 adds a first proviso that has no counterpart in Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Under that proviso, if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of such person is necessary, he may do so.

Did Section 53 BNSS change the rules on examining an arrested female or furnishing the medical report?▼

No. The proviso on the examination of a female in Section 54(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is the second proviso to Section 53(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same text: the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner. Section 53(3) BNSS on furnishing a copy of the report has the same text as Section 54(3) CrPC.

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 ·