Section 154 BNSS: Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 154 BNSS at a Glance

Section 154 BNSS deals with person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause. It replaced Section 135 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 135 →

Section 154 BNSS Bare Act Text

154. Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause

The person against whom such order is made shall—

(a) perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby; or

(b) appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same; and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

Source: Section 154, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 154 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the person to whom an order is addressed to obey or show cause.

The person against whom such order is made shall perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby, or appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same, and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

When Section 154 BNSS Applies

  • Under Section 154 BNSS, the person against whom such order is made shall either perform the act directed by the order or appear and show cause against it.
  • Under Section 154(a) BNSS, the person shall perform the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order.
  • Under Section 154(b) BNSS, the person shall appear in accordance with the order and show cause against the same, and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

Time Limits Under Section 154 BNSS

  • Under Section 154(a) BNSS, the act directed by the order is performed within the time specified in the order.Act text: “within the time and in the manner specified in the order”

Example of Section 154 BNSS

An order is made against Vikram directing the performance of an act within a stated time and in a stated manner. Under Section 154(a) BNSS, Vikram shall perform the act within the time and in the manner specified in the order. Or, under Section 154(b) BNSS, Vikram shall appear in accordance with the order and show cause against the same, and the appearance or hearing of Vikram may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

When Section 154 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 154 BNSS speaks of the person against whom such order is made performing the act or showing cause. It does not deal with the service or notification of the order, which Section 153 BNSS deals with.
  • Section 154(a) BNSS speaks of performing the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order. It does not deal with the consequences of the person failing to perform the act or appear and show cause, which Section 155 BNSS deals with.
  • Section 154(b) BNSS speaks of appearing in accordance with the order and showing cause against the same. It does not deal with the procedure where the existence of a public right is denied, which Section 156 BNSS deals with.

Section 154 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 154 BNSS replaces Section 135 CrPC from the old criminal code.

From 1 July 2024, Section 135 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading. Section 154(b) BNSS adds the words and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing, which Section 135(b) CrPC does not contain. The rest of the text reads the same.

View CrPC Section 135 →

FAQs on Section 154 BNSS

What must the person against whom the order is made do under Section 154 BNSS?▼

Under Section 154 BNSS, the person against whom such order is made shall perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby, or appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same, and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

Within what time and in what manner is the act performed under Section 154(a) BNSS?▼

Under Section 154(a) BNSS, the person shall perform the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order.

What does Section 154(b) BNSS say about showing cause?▼

Under Section 154(b) BNSS, the person shall appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same, and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing.

What changed from Section 135 CrPC to Section 154 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 154 BNSS has the same heading as Section 135 CrPC. Section 154(b) BNSS adds the words and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing, which Section 135(b) CrPC does not contain. The rest of the text reads the same.

Have questions about Section 154 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: 22 Oct 2026 ·