Section 30 BNSS: Powers of superior officers of police

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 30 BNSS at a Glance

Section 30 BNSS deals with powers of superior officers of police. It replaced Section 36 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 36 →

Section 30 BNSS Bare Act Text

30. Powers of superior officers of police

Police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

Source: Section 30, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 30 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the powers of superior officers of police.

An officer in charge of a police station exercises powers within the limits of his station.

Under Section 30 BNSS, police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

When Section 30 BNSS Applies

  • Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 applies to police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Under Section 30 BNSS, such police officers may exercise the same powers as may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Under Section 30 BNSS, such police officers may exercise those powers throughout the local area to which they are appointed.
  • Under Section 30 BNSS, the powers are those that may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station within the limits of his station.

Example of Section 30 BNSS

Ananya is a police officer superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station, and Ananya is appointed to a local area that includes the police station where Karthik is the officer in charge. A matter arises within that local area. Under Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Ananya may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which Ananya is appointed, as may be exercised by Karthik within the limits of the station.

When Section 30 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 does not apply to a police officer who is not superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Section 30 BNSS does not authorise a superior police officer to exercise powers outside the local area to which that officer is appointed.

Section 30 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 30 BNSS replaces Section 36 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 30 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 36 CrPC: police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

View CrPC Section 36 →

FAQs on Section 30 BNSS

Who can exercise powers under Section 30 BNSS?▼

Under Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

What is the territorial scope of a superior officer under Section 30 BNSS?▼

An officer in charge of a police station exercises powers within the limits of his station. Under Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a police officer superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers throughout the local area to which the superior officer is appointed.

Does Section 30 BNSS create powers beyond those of an officer in charge of a police station?▼

No. Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of the same powers as may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station within the limits of his station. Police officers superior in rank to such an officer may exercise those powers throughout the local area to which they are appointed.

What changed from Section 36 CrPC to Section 30 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 30 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 36 CrPC.

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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 ·