Section 421 BNSS: Special right of appeal in certain cases

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 421 BNSS at a Glance

Section 421 BNSS deals with special right of appeal in certain cases. It replaced Section 380 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 421 BNSS Bare Act Text

421. Special right of appeal in certain cases
Notwithstanding anything in this Chapter, when more persons than one are convicted in one trial, and an appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of any of such persons, all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.

Source: Section 421, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 421 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 applies notwithstanding anything in the Chapter of the Sanhita that contains Section 421 BNSS. When more persons than one are convicted in one trial, and an appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of any of such persons, all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.

When Section 421 BNSS Applies

Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of the case where more persons than one are convicted in one trial.
Section 421 BNSS speaks of the case where an appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of any of such persons.
Under Section 421 BNSS, all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.
Section 421 BNSS applies notwithstanding anything in the Chapter of the Sanhita that contains Section 421 BNSS.

Example of Section 421 BNSS

Meena and Kavita are tried together and convicted in one trial. An appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of Meena. Under Section 421 BNSS, all or any of the persons convicted at that trial, including Kavita, shall have a right of appeal.

When Section 421 BNSS Does Not Apply

Section 421 BNSS speaks of persons convicted in one trial. It does not deal with an appeal in case of acquittal, the subject of Section 419 BNSS.
Section 421 BNSS speaks of a right of appeal of persons convicted in one trial. It does not deal with an appeal by the State Government against sentence, the subject of Section 418 BNSS.

Section 421 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 421 BNSS replaces Section 380 CrPC from the old criminal code.

From 1 July 2024, Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 380 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 421 BNSS has the same heading as Section 380 CrPC and the same text, except for the wording below. Section 421 BNSS reads notwithstanding anything in this Chapter where Section 380 CrPC read notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter.

View CrPC Section 380 →

FAQs on Section 421 BNSS

When does the special right of appeal under Section 421 BNSS arise?▼

Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of the case where more persons than one are convicted in one trial, and an appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of any of such persons. In that case, all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.

Whom does Section 421 BNSS name as having a right of appeal?▼

Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 says that all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.

What does the opening of Section 421 BNSS say?▼

Section 421 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 opens with the words Notwithstanding anything in this Chapter. The Chapter is the Chapter of the Sanhita that contains Section 421 BNSS.

What changed from Section 380 CrPC to Section 421 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·