Section 168 BNSS: Police to prevent cognizable offences

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 168 BNSS at a Glance

Section 168 BNSS deals with police to prevent cognizable offences. It replaced Section 149 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 149 →

Section 168 BNSS Bare Act Text

168. Police to prevent cognizable offences

Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing, and shall, to the best of his ability, prevent, the commission of any cognizable offence.

Source: Section 168, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 168 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the prevention of cognizable offences by police officers. Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence. Every police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

When Section 168 BNSS Applies

  • Section 168 BNSS applies to every police officer.
  • A police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence.
  • A police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

Example of Section 168 BNSS

Vikram, a police officer, sees Sandeep about to commit a cognizable offence against Neha. Under Section 168 BNSS, Vikram may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of that offence. Under Section 168 BNSS, Vikram shall prevent the commission of that offence to the best of Vikram's ability.

When Section 168 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 168 BNSS speaks of the commission of any cognizable offence. It does not deal with an offence that is not a cognizable offence.
  • Section 168 BNSS speaks of interposing and preventing. It does not deal with the arrest of a person designing to commit an offence.

Section 168 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 168 BNSS replaces Section 149 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 168 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 149 CrPC.

View CrPC Section 149 →

FAQs on Section 168 BNSS

Who may interpose under Section 168 BNSS?▼

Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence.

What must a police officer do under Section 168 BNSS?▼

Every police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

Which offences does Section 168 BNSS speak of?▼

Section 168 BNSS speaks of the commission of any cognizable offence.

What changed from Section 149 CrPC to Section 168 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 168 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 149 CrPC.

Have questions about Section 168 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 ·