Section 134 BNSS: Power to dispense with personal attendance

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 134 BNSS at a Glance

Section 134 BNSS deals with power to dispense with personal attendance. It replaced Section 115 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 115 →

Section 134 BNSS Bare Act Text

134. Power to dispense with personal attendance

The Magistrate may, if he sees sufficient cause, dispense with the personal attendance of any person called upon to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour and may permit him to appear by an advocate.

Source: Section 134, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 134 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 134 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the power to dispense with personal attendance.

The Magistrate may, if the Magistrate sees sufficient cause, dispense with the personal attendance of any person called upon to show cause why the person should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour, and may permit the person to appear by an advocate.

When Section 134 BNSS Applies

  • Section 134 BNSS applies to any person called upon to show cause why the person should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour.
  • The Magistrate may dispense with the personal attendance of that person if the Magistrate sees sufficient cause.
  • The Magistrate may permit that person to appear by an advocate.

Example of Section 134 BNSS

Omkar is called upon to show cause why Omkar should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace. The Magistrate sees sufficient cause and, under Section 134 BNSS, dispenses with the personal attendance of Omkar and permits Omkar to appear by an advocate.

When Section 134 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 134 BNSS speaks of dispensing with the personal attendance of a person called upon to show cause. It does not deal with the issue of a summons or warrant for a person who is not present in Court, which is the subject of Section 132 BNSS.
  • Section 134 BNSS speaks of appearance by an advocate. It does not deal with the order to give security, which is the subject of Section 136 BNSS.

Section 134 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 134 BNSS replaces Section 115 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 134 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 115 CrPC, except that Section 134 BNSS reads advocate where Section 115 CrPC read pleader.

View CrPC Section 115 →

FAQs on Section 134 BNSS

Whose personal attendance may be dispensed with under Section 134 BNSS?▼

The Magistrate may dispense with the personal attendance of any person called upon to show cause why the person should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour.

When may the Magistrate dispense with personal attendance under Section 134 BNSS?▼

The Magistrate may dispense with personal attendance if the Magistrate sees sufficient cause.

How may the person appear under Section 134 BNSS?▼

The Magistrate may permit the person to appear by an advocate.

What changed from Section 115 CrPC to Section 134 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 134 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 115 CrPC, except that Section 134 BNSS reads advocate where Section 115 CrPC read pleader.

Have questions about Section 134 BNSS?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·