CrPC 64→BNSS 66

CrPC 64 to BNSS 66: Service when persons summoned cannot be found

Section 64 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 66 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 64 →View BNSS Section 66 →

CrPC 64 to BNSS 66 at a Glance

Section 64 CrPC (Service when persons summoned cannot be found) is now Section 66 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 64 to BNSS 66?

Section 66 BNSS has the same heading and the same Explanation as Section 64 CrPC. Section 66 BNSS reads some adult member of his family residing with him where Section 64 CrPC read some adult male member of his family residing with him.

CrPC 64 vs BNSS 66: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section6466
HeadingService when persons summoned cannot be foundSame

CrPC 64 and BNSS 66: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 64, CrPC 1973

64. Service when persons summoned cannot be found.—Where the person summoned cannot, by the exercise of due diligence, be found, the summons may be served by leaving one of the duplicates for him with some adult male member of his family residing with him, and the person with whom the summons is so left shall, if so required by the serving officer, sign a receipt therefor on the back of the other duplicate. Explanation.—A servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of this section.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 66, BNSS 2023

66. Service when persons summoned cannot be found.—Where the person summoned cannot, by the exercise of due diligence, be found, the summons may be served by leaving one of the duplicates for him with some adult member of his family residing with him, and the person with whom the summons is so left shall, if so required by the serving officer, sign a receipt therefor on the back of the other duplicate. Explanation.—A servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of this section.

When It Applies: CrPC 64 vs BNSS 66

Under CrPC 64
  1. Section 64 CrPC applies where the person summoned cannot, by the exercise of due diligence, be found.
  2. In that case, the summons may be served by leaving one of the duplicates for the person summoned with some adult male member of the family residing with the person summoned.
  3. The person with whom the summons is so left shall sign a receipt on the back of the other duplicate if the serving officer so requires.
  4. The Explanation says that a servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of Section 64 CrPC.
Under BNSS 66
  1. Section 66 BNSS applies where the person summoned cannot, by the exercise of due diligence, be found.
  2. In that case, the summons may be served by leaving one of the duplicates for the person summoned with some adult member of the family residing with the person summoned.
  3. The person with whom the summons is so left shall sign a receipt on the back of the other duplicate if the serving officer so requires.
  4. The Explanation says that a servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of Section 66 BNSS.

What CrPC 64 to BNSS 66 Means in Practice

Section 64 CrPC is found in Section 66 BNSS. Section 66 BNSS reads some adult member of the family where Section 64 CrPC read some adult male member of the family.

FAQs: CrPC 64 to BNSS 66

Where is Section 64 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 64 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 66 BNSS.

Is the text of Section 66 BNSS the same as Section 64 CrPC?▼

Section 66 BNSS has the same heading and the same Explanation as Section 64 CrPC, but the text differs in one place. Section 66 BNSS reads some adult member of his family residing with him where Section 64 CrPC read some adult male member of his family residing with him.

Does Section 66 BNSS use the word male that Section 64 CrPC used?▼

No. Section 64 CrPC read some adult male member of his family residing with him. Section 66 BNSS reads some adult member of his family residing with him, without the word male.

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: 21 Oct 2026 ·