Section 27 BNSS: Powers of officers appointed

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 27 BNSS at a Glance

Section 27 BNSS deals with powers of officers appointed. It replaced Section 33 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 33 →

Section 27 BNSS Bare Act Text

27. Powers of officers appointed

Whenever any person holding an office in the service of Government who has been invested by the High Court or the State Government with any powers under this Sanhita throughout any local area is appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature, within a like local area under the same State Government, he shall, unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed, exercise the same powers in the local area in which he is so appointed.

Source: Section 27, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 27 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the powers of officers appointed to a new office.

Where a person holding an office in the service of Government has been invested by the High Court or the State Government with any powers under the Sanhita throughout any local area, and is appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature within a like local area under the same State Government, that person shall exercise the same powers in the local area of the new appointment.

This applies unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed.

When Section 27 BNSS Applies

  • Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 applies to a person holding an office in the service of Government who has been invested by the High Court or the State Government with any powers under the Sanhita throughout any local area.
  • Section 27 BNSS applies when that person is appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature, within a like local area under the same State Government.
  • Under Section 27 BNSS, that person shall exercise the same powers in the local area in which that person is so appointed.
  • Under Section 27 BNSS, this does not apply where the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed.

Example of Section 27 BNSS

Meera holds an office in the service of the State Government and has been invested by the High Court with powers under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 throughout a local area. The State Government then appoints Meera to an equal office of the same nature within a like local area under the same State Government. Neither the High Court nor the State Government has otherwise directed. Under Section 27 BNSS, Meera shall exercise the same powers under the Sanhita in the local area to which Meera is appointed.

When Section 27 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 does not deal with an officer appointed to a lower office, or to an office that is not of the same nature.
  • Section 27 BNSS does not deal with an appointment outside a like local area, or to an office under a different State Government.
  • Section 27 BNSS does not deal with a person who does not hold an office in the service of Government, or who has not been invested with powers under the Sanhita by the High Court or the State Government.

Section 27 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 27 BNSS replaces Section 33 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 33 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, with the same heading. Section 27 BNSS reads powers under this Sanhita where Section 33 CrPC read powers under this Code, and the rest of the text is the same.

View CrPC Section 33 →

FAQs on Section 27 BNSS

What happens to an officer's powers under Section 27 BNSS on appointment to an equal or higher office?▼

Under Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a person holding an office in the service of Government who has been invested by the High Court or the State Government with any powers under the Sanhita throughout any local area, and who is appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature within a like local area under the same State Government, shall exercise the same powers in the local area in which that person is so appointed, unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed.

Can the High Court or the State Government direct otherwise under Section 27 BNSS?▼

Yes. Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 applies unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed.

What requirements apply to the new office and territory under Section 27 BNSS?▼

Under Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the person must be appointed to an equal or higher office, the office must be of the same nature, and the appointment must be within a like local area under the same State Government. Section 27 BNSS applies unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed.

What changed from Section 33 CrPC to Section 27 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 27 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 33 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 27 BNSS reads powers under this Sanhita where Section 33 CrPC read powers under this Code. The rest of the text is the same.

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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: 18 Oct 2026 ·