Section 354 BNSS: No influence to be used to induce disclosure

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 354 BNSS at a Glance

Section 354 BNSS deals with no influence to be used to induce disclosure. It replaced Section 316 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 316 →

Section 354 BNSS Bare Act Text

354. No influence to be used to induce disclosure

Except as provided in sections 343 and 344, no influence, by means of any promise or threat or otherwise, shall be used to an accused person to induce him to disclose or withhold any matter within his knowledge.

Source: Section 354, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 354 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 provides that, except as provided in Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS, no influence, by means of any promise or threat or otherwise, shall be used to an accused person to induce the accused person to disclose or withhold any matter within the knowledge of the accused person.

When Section 354 BNSS Applies

  • Section 354 BNSS says no influence, by means of any promise or threat or otherwise, shall be used to an accused person.
  • The influence in question is influence used to induce the accused person to disclose or withhold any matter within the knowledge of the accused person.
  • The exception is as provided in Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS.

Example of Section 354 BNSS

A person tells Karan, an accused person, that a favour will be done for Karan if Karan discloses a matter within the knowledge of Karan. That is influence by means of a promise, used to induce the accused person to disclose a matter. Section 354 BNSS says no such influence shall be used, except as provided in Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS.

When Section 354 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 354 BNSS speaks of influence used to induce an accused person to disclose or withhold a matter. It does not deal with the power to examine the accused, the subject of Section 351 BNSS.
  • Section 354 BNSS speaks of influence used to an accused person. It does not deal with the accused person as a competent witness, the subject of Section 353 BNSS.

Section 354 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 354 BNSS replaces Section 316 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 354 BNSS has the same heading as Section 316 CrPC, No influence to be used to induce disclosure. The text is the same, except that Section 354 BNSS refers to Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS where Section 316 CrPC referred to Section 306 CrPC and Section 307 CrPC.

View CrPC Section 316 →

FAQs on Section 354 BNSS

What does Section 354 BNSS say about a promise or threat?▼

No influence, by means of any promise or threat or otherwise, shall be used to an accused person to induce the accused person to disclose or withhold any matter within the knowledge of the accused person.

Is there an exception in Section 354 BNSS?▼

Yes. The section begins with the words except as provided in Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS.

Whom does Section 354 BNSS concern?▼

An accused person. The influence is used to induce the accused person to disclose or withhold any matter within the knowledge of the accused person.

What changed from Section 316 CrPC to Section 354 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 354 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 316 CrPC, except for the references to other sections. Section 354 BNSS refers to Section 343 BNSS and Section 344 BNSS where Section 316 CrPC referred to Section 306 CrPC and Section 307 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: 20 Oct 2026 ·