Section 520 BNSS: Trials before High Courts

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 520 BNSS at a Glance

Section 520 BNSS deals with trials before High Courts. It replaced Section 474 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 520 BNSS Bare Act Text

520. Trials before High Courts
When an offence is tried by the High Court otherwise than under section 447, it shall, in the trial of the offence, observe the same procedure as a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

Source: Section 520, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 520 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 520 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is headed Trials before High Courts. It states that when an offence is tried by the High Court otherwise than under Section 447 BNSS, the High Court shall, in the trial of the offence, observe the same procedure as a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

When Section 520 BNSS Applies

Section 520 BNSS applies when an offence is tried by the High Court otherwise than under Section 447 BNSS.
In the trial of the offence, the High Court shall observe the same procedure as a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

Example of Section 520 BNSS

The High Court tries an offence alleged against Imran otherwise than under Section 447 BNSS. In the trial of the offence, the High Court shall observe the same procedure as a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

When Section 520 BNSS Does Not Apply

Section 520 BNSS speaks of an offence tried by the High Court otherwise than under Section 447 BNSS. It does not state the procedure for a trial under Section 447 BNSS, headed Power of High Court to transfer cases and appeals.
Section 520 BNSS speaks of the procedure the High Court shall observe in the trial of an offence. It does not deal with Section 523 BNSS, headed Power of High Court to make rules.

Section 520 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 520 BNSS replaces Section 474 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 474 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found from 1 July 2024 as Section 520 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading. The text is the same except that Section 520 BNSS refers to Section 447 BNSS where Section 474 CrPC refers to Section 407 CrPC. Section 447 BNSS and Section 407 CrPC are both headed Power of High Court to transfer cases and appeals.

View CrPC Section 474 →

FAQs on Section 520 BNSS

What procedure shall the High Court observe under Section 520 BNSS?▼

Section 520 BNSS states that when an offence is tried by the High Court otherwise than under Section 447 BNSS, the High Court shall, in the trial of the offence, observe the same procedure as a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

Which section is named in Section 520 BNSS?▼

Section 520 BNSS names Section 447 BNSS, headed Power of High Court to transfer cases and appeals.

Whose procedure is referred to in Section 520 BNSS?▼

Section 520 BNSS refers to the procedure a Court of Sessions would observe if it were trying the case.

What changed from Section 474 CrPC to Section 520 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 520 BNSS has the same heading as Section 474 CrPC. The text is the same except that Section 520 BNSS refers to Section 447 BNSS where Section 474 CrPC refers to Section 407 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: 21 Oct 2026 ·