Section 31 BNSS: Public when to assist Magistrates and police

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 31 BNSS at a Glance

Section 31 BNSS deals with public when to assist Magistrates and police. It replaced Section 37 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 37 →

Section 31 BNSS Bare Act Text

31. Public when to assist Magistrates and police

Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid—

(a) in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest; or

(b) in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace; or

(c) in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

Source: Section 31, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 31 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with when the public is to assist Magistrates and police.

Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in any of the cases listed in Section 31 BNSS: in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest, in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace, or in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

When Section 31 BNSS Applies

  • Under Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the cases listed in Section 31(a) BNSS, Section 31(b) BNSS and Section 31(c) BNSS.
  • Under Section 31(a) BNSS, the aid is in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest.
  • Under Section 31(b) BNSS, the aid is in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace.
  • Under Section 31(c) BNSS, the aid is in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

Example of Section 31 BNSS

Inspector Meera sees Arjun attempting to damage a municipal water tank, which is public property. Inspector Meera is authorised to arrest Arjun, and Arjun tries to escape. Inspector Meera reasonably demands the aid of Dev, a passerby, in preventing the escape of Arjun and in preventing the attempted injury to the public property. Under Section 31(a) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Section 31(c) BNSS, Dev is bound to assist Inspector Meera.

When Section 31 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding aid. It does not deal with a demand for aid made by a person who is not a Magistrate or police officer.
  • Section 31(a) BNSS speaks of a person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest. It does not deal with taking a person whom the Magistrate or police officer is not authorised to arrest.
  • Section 31(c) BNSS speaks of an injury attempted to be committed to any public property. It does not deal with an attempted injury to property that is not public property.

Section 31 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 31 BNSS replaces Section 37 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, with the same heading. Section 31(c) BNSS reads in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property, and does not contain the words railway, canal, telegraph found in Section 37(c) CrPC. The opening words, Section 31(a) BNSS and Section 31(b) BNSS have the same text as Section 37 CrPC.

View CrPC Section 37 →

FAQs on Section 31 BNSS

Who has a duty to assist under Section 31 BNSS, and who can demand that aid?▼

Under Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid. The aid is for a case listed in Section 31(a) BNSS, Section 31(b) BNSS or Section 31(c) BNSS.

When does Section 31 BNSS require a citizen to help with an arrest or escape?▼

Under Section 31(a) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the taking or preventing the escape of any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorised to arrest.

Does Section 31 BNSS apply to a breach of the peace or attempted damage to public property?▼

Yes. Under Section 31(b) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every person is bound to assist a Magistrate or police officer reasonably demanding his aid in the prevention or suppression of a breach of the peace. Under Section 31(c) BNSS, the same applies in the prevention of any injury attempted to be committed to any public property.

What changed from Section 37 CrPC to Section 31 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 31 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 37(c) CrPC read any railway, canal, telegraph or public property. Section 31(c) BNSS reads any public property, and does not contain the words railway, canal, telegraph. The heading, the opening words, Section 31(a) BNSS and Section 31(b) BNSS have the same text as in Section 37 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 ·