Section 501 BNSS: Destruction of libellous and other matter

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 501 BNSS at a Glance

Section 501 BNSS deals with destruction of libellous and other matter. It replaced Section 455 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 455 →

Section 501 BNSS Bare Act Text

(1) On a conviction under section 294, section 295, or sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

(2) The Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under section 274, section 275, section 276 or section 277 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Source: Section 501, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 501 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 501 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is headed Destruction of libellous and other matter.

Under Section 501(1) BNSS, on a conviction under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 295 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, or Section 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 356(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

Under Section 501(2) BNSS, the Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under Section 274 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or Section 277 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

When Section 501 BNSS Applies

  • Section 501(1) BNSS applies on a conviction under Section 294 BNS, Section 295 BNS, or Section 356(3) BNS and Section 356(4) BNS.
  • Under Section 501(1) BNSS, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had.
  • Those copies are ones which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.
  • Section 501(2) BNSS applies in like manner on a conviction under Section 274 BNS, Section 275 BNS, Section 276 BNS or Section 277 BNS.
  • Under Section 501(2) BNSS, the Court may order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Example of Section 501 BNSS

Arjun is convicted under Section 294 BNS. Copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had are in the custody of the Court, and other copies remain in the possession or power of Arjun. Under Section 501(1) BNSS, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

When Section 501 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 501 BNSS speaks of the destruction of copies of a thing, or of food, drink, drug or medical preparation, on a conviction. It does not deal with the disposal of property at the conclusion of a trial, which is the subject of Section 498 BNSS.
  • Section 501 BNSS speaks of things in the custody of the Court or in the possession or power of the person convicted. It does not deal with the power to restore possession of immovable property, which is the subject of Section 502 BNSS.

Section 501 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 501 BNSS replaced Section 455 CrPC from 1 July 2024.

From 1 July 2024, Section 501 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 455 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same. Section 501(1) BNSS and Section 501(2) BNSS cite sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 where Section 455(1) CrPC and Section 455(2) CrPC cited sections of the Indian Penal Code. The rest of the text is the same.

Each sub-section below names its own source.

FAQs on Section 501 BNSS

On a conviction under which sections may the Court order destruction under Section 501(1) BNSS?▼

Under Section 501(1) BNSS, on a conviction under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 295 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, or Section 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 356(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

What may the Court order destroyed under Section 501(2) BNSS?▼

Under Section 501(2) BNSS, the Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under Section 274 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or Section 277 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Does Section 501 BNSS say the Court may or shall order destruction?▼

Section 501(1) BNSS and Section 501(2) BNSS both say that the Court may order destruction.

What changed from Section 455 CrPC to Section 501 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 501 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 455 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same. Section 501(1) BNSS reads Section 294 BNS, Section 295 BNS, Section 356(3) BNS and Section 356(4) BNS where Section 455(1) CrPC read Section 292 IPC, Section 293 IPC, Section 501 IPC and Section 502 IPC. Section 501(2) BNSS reads Section 274 BNS, Section 275 BNS, Section 276 BNS and Section 277 BNS where Section 455(2) CrPC read Section 272 IPC, Section 273 IPC, Section 274 IPC and Section 275 IPC. These are the IPC to BNS citations. Section 455(1) CrPC is found in Section 501(1) BNSS and Section 455(2) CrPC in Section 501(2) BNSS.

Section 501 BNSS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 501(1) BNSS: Destruction of libellous and other matter

▶

Bare Act Text

(1) On a conviction under section 294, section 295, or sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

Previous Law

CrPC 455 → Section 501(1) BNSS

Section 501(2) BNSS: Destruction of libellous and other matter

▶

Bare Act Text

(2) The Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under section 274, section 275, section 276 or section 277 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Previous Law

CrPC 455(2) → Section 501(2) BNSS

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 22 Oct 2026 ·