Section 224 BNSS: Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 224 BNSS at a Glance

Section 224 BNSS deals with procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case. It replaced Section 201 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 201 →

Section 224 BNSS Bare Act Text

224. Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case

Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case.

If the complaint is made to a Magistrate who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence, he shall,—

(a) if the complaint is in writing, return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect;

(b) if the complaint is not in writing, direct the complainant to the proper Court.

Source: Section 224, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 224 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 224 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 covers a complaint made to a Magistrate who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence. If the complaint is in writing, the Magistrate shall return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect. If the complaint is not in writing, the Magistrate shall direct the complainant to the proper Court.

When Section 224 BNSS Applies

  • The rule is addressed to a Magistrate to whom a complaint is made and who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence.
  • A complaint in writing is returned for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect.
  • For a complaint that is not in writing, the Magistrate shall direct the complainant to the proper Court.

Example of Section 224 BNSS

Anita hands a complaint in writing to a Magistrate who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence. Under Section 224 BNSS, the Magistrate returns the complaint to Anita for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect. Vikram makes a complaint that is not in writing to the same Magistrate. The Magistrate directs Vikram to the proper Court.

When Section 224 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 224 BNSS speaks of returning a complaint or directing the complainant to the proper Court. It does not deal with the dismissal of a complaint, which is the subject of Section 226 BNSS.

Section 224 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 224 BNSS replaces Section 201 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 201 CrPC is found in Section 224 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The text is the same. The heading of Section 224 BNSS omits the word the before case, which the heading of Section 201 CrPC has.

View CrPC Section 201 →

FAQs on Section 224 BNSS

What does a Magistrate do with a complaint in writing under Section 224 BNSS?▼

If the Magistrate is not competent to take cognizance of the offence and the complaint is in writing, the Magistrate shall return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect.

What does a Magistrate do with a complaint that is not in writing under Section 224 BNSS?▼

If the complaint is not in writing, the Magistrate shall direct the complainant to the proper Court.

To which Magistrate does Section 224 BNSS speak?▼

Section 224 BNSS speaks of a Magistrate to whom a complaint is made and who is not competent to take cognizance of the offence.

What changed from Section 201 CrPC to Section 224 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 224 BNSS has the same text as Section 201 CrPC. Its heading reads Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of case where the heading of Section 201 CrPC read Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case.

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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 ·