CrPC 85→BNSS 88

CrPC 85 to BNSS 88: Release, sale and restoration of attached property

Section 85 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 88 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 85 →View BNSS Section 88 →

CrPC 85 to BNSS 88 at a Glance

Section 85 CrPC (Release, sale and restoration of attached property) is now Section 88 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 85 to BNSS 88?

Section 85 CrPC became Section 88 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Both have the same heading and the same text, with one renumbered cross-reference and one punctuation difference. Section 88(2) BNSS refers to Section 87 where Section 85(2) CrPC referred to Section 84. Section 88(3) BNSS has no comma after State Government where Section 85(3) CrPC has one.

CrPC 85 vs BNSS 88: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section8588
HeadingRelease, sale and restoration of attached propertySame
Sub-sections3 sub-sectionsSame
Cross-referencess.84s.87

CrPC 85 and BNSS 88: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 85, CrPC 1973

85. Release, sale and restoration of attached property.—(1) If the proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation, the Court shall make an order releasing the property from the attachment. (2) If the proclaimed person does not appear within the time specified in the proclamation, the property under the attachment shall be at the disposal of the State Government; but it shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under section 84 has been disposed of under that section, unless it is subject to speedy and natural decay, or the Court considers that the sale would be for the benefit of the owner; in either of which cases the Court may cause it to be sold whenever it thinks fit. (3) If, within two years from the date of the attachment, any person whose property is or has been at the disposal of the State Government, under sub-section (2), appears voluntarily or is apprehended and brought before the Court by whose order the property was attached, or the Court to which such Court is subordinate, and proves to the satisfaction of such Court that he did not abscond or conceal himself for the purpose of avoiding execution of the warrant, and that he had not such notice of the proclamation as to enable him to attend within the time specified therein, such property, or, if the same has been sold, the net proceeds of the sale, or, if part only thereof has been sold, the net proceeds of the sale and the residue of the property, shall, after satisfying therefrom all costs incurred in consequence of the attachment, be delivered to him.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 88, BNSS 2023

88. Release, sale and restoration of attached property.—(1) If the proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation, the Court shall make an order releasing the property from the attachment. (2) If the proclaimed person does not appear within the time specified in the proclamation, the property under the attachment shall be at the disposal of the State Government; but it shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under section 87 has been disposed of under that section, unless it is subject to speedy and natural decay, or the Court considers that the sale would be for the benefit of the owner; in either of which cases the Court may cause it to be sold whenever it thinks fit. (3) If, within two years from the date of the attachment, any person whose property is or has been at the disposal of the State Government under sub-section (2), appears voluntarily or is apprehended and brought before the Court by whose order the property was attached, or the Court to which such Court is subordinate, and proves to the satisfaction of such Court that he did not abscond or conceal himself for the purpose of avoiding execution of the warrant, and that he had not such notice of the proclamation as to enable him to attend within the time specified therein, such property, or, if the same has been sold, the net proceeds of the sale, or, if part only thereof has been sold, the net proceeds of the sale and the residue of the property, shall, after satisfying therefrom all costs incurred in consequence of the attachment, be delivered to him.

When It Applies: CrPC 85 vs BNSS 88

Under CrPC 85
  1. If the proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation, the Court shall make an order releasing the property from the attachment.
  2. If the proclaimed person does not appear within the time specified in the proclamation, the property under the attachment shall be at the disposal of the State Government.
  3. The Court may cause the property to be sold whenever it thinks fit if it is subject to speedy and natural decay, or the Court considers that the sale would be for the benefit of the owner.
  4. A person whose property is or has been at the disposal of the State Government may appear voluntarily or be apprehended and brought before the Court by whose order the property was attached, or the Court to which such Court is subordinate.
  5. That person has to prove to the satisfaction of such Court that he did not abscond or conceal himself for the purpose of avoiding execution of the warrant, and that he had not such notice of the proclamation as to enable him to attend within the time specified therein.
Under BNSS 88
  1. If the proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation, the Court shall make an order releasing the property from the attachment.
  2. If the proclaimed person does not appear within the time specified in the proclamation, the property under the attachment shall be at the disposal of the State Government.
  3. The Court may cause the property to be sold whenever it thinks fit if it is subject to speedy and natural decay, or the Court considers that the sale would be for the benefit of the owner.
  4. A person whose property is or has been at the disposal of the State Government may appear voluntarily or be apprehended and brought before the Court by whose order the property was attached, or the Court to which such Court is subordinate.
  5. That person has to prove to the satisfaction of such Court that he did not abscond or conceal himself for the purpose of avoiding execution of the warrant, and that he had not such notice of the proclamation as to enable him to attend within the time specified therein.

Time Limits: CrPC 85 to BNSS 88

Under CrPC 85
  • The proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation.Act text: “appears within the time specified in the proclamation”
  • The property shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under Section 84 has been disposed of.Act text: “it shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under section 84 has been disposed of under that section”
  • The person has to appear or be brought before the Court within two years from the date of the attachment.Act text: “within two years from the date of the attachment”
Under BNSS 88
  • The proclaimed person appears within the time specified in the proclamation.Act text: “appears within the time specified in the proclamation”
  • The property shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under Section 87 has been disposed of.Act text: “it shall not be sold until the expiration of six months from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made under section 87 has been disposed of under that section”
  • The person has to appear or be brought before the Court within two years from the date of the attachment.Act text: “within two years from the date of the attachment”

What CrPC 85 to BNSS 88 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the release, sale and restoration of attached property are dealt with in Section 88 BNSS where Section 85 CrPC dealt with them. The period of six months and the period of two years read the same in both. The claims and objections that must be disposed of before sale are those under Section 87 BNSS where they were under Section 84 CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 85 to BNSS 88

Where is Section 85 CrPC found in the BNSS?▼

Section 85(1) CrPC is found in Section 88(1) BNSS, Section 85(2) CrPC in Section 88(2) BNSS and Section 85(3) CrPC in Section 88(3) BNSS.

Which cross-reference is renumbered in Section 88 BNSS?▼

Section 88(2) BNSS refers to Section 87 BNSS where Section 85(2) CrPC referred to Section 84 CrPC.

Is there any other difference between Section 88 BNSS and Section 85 CrPC?▼

Section 88(3) BNSS has no comma after State Government where Section 85(3) CrPC has one. The heading and the words are otherwise the same.

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 ·