Section 530 BNSS: Trial and proceedings to be held in electronic mode

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 530 BNSS at a Glance

Section 530 BNSS deals with trial and proceedings to be held in electronic mode. It has no corresponding section in the CrPC. The BNSS applies from 1 July 2024.

Section 530 BNSS Bare Act Text

530. Trial and proceedings to be held in electronic mode
All trials, inquires and proceedings under this Sanhita, including—
(i) issuance, service and execution of summons and warrant;
(ii) examination of complainant and witnesses;
(iii) recording of evidence in inquiries and trials; and
(iv) all appellate proceedings or any other proceeding, may be held in electronic mode, by use of electronic communication or use of audio-video electronic means.

Source: Section 530, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 530 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 permits all trials, inquiries and proceedings under the Sanhita to be conducted in electronic mode. Under Section 530 BNSS, a proceeding may be held in electronic mode by using electronic communication or by using audio-video electronic means.

The provision covers key stages under the Sanhita, including issuing, serving and executing a summons or warrant, examining a complainant and witnesses, recording evidence during inquiries and trials, and holding all appellate or other proceedings. Section 530 BNSS says proceedings may be held in electronic mode, so using electronic mode is permissive rather than mandatory.

When Section 530 BNSS Applies

Every trial, inquiry and proceeding under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 may be conducted in electronic mode.
Under Section 530(i) BNSS, a summons or a warrant may be issued, served and executed in electronic mode.
A complainant and witnesses in a matter under the Sanhita may be examined in electronic mode under Section 530(ii) BNSS.
Evidence during inquiries and trials under the Sanhita may be recorded in electronic mode under Section 530(iii) BNSS.
All appellate proceedings and any other proceedings under the Sanhita may be conducted in electronic mode under Section 530(iv) BNSS.
When a trial, inquiry or proceeding is held in electronic mode under Section 530 BNSS, it may be conducted through electronic communication or through audio-video electronic means.

Example of Section 530 BNSS

During a trial under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a summons needs to be issued and served on Rohan, and the complainant Meera along with a witness, Arvind, need to be examined for recording evidence. Under Section 530 BNSS, the trial and its connected proceedings under the Sanhita may be held in electronic mode. Under Section 530(i) BNSS, the summons for Rohan may be issued, served and executed in electronic mode. Under Section 530(ii) BNSS and Section 530(iii) BNSS, the examination of Meera and Arvind and the recording of their evidence in the trial may also be held in electronic mode by using electronic communication or audio-video electronic means.

When Section 530 BNSS Does Not Apply

Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 does not apply to a trial, inquiry or proceeding that is not conducted under the Sanhita.
Holding a proceeding in electronic mode under Section 530 BNSS does not apply where the proceeding uses neither electronic communication nor audio-video electronic means.

No Corresponding CrPC Section

The official comparison tables list no section of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Code had no section in its place. Section 530 BNSS provides that all trials, inquiries and proceedings under the Sanhita may be held in electronic mode.

FAQs on Section 530 BNSS

Does Section 530 BNSS make it mandatory to hold all trials and proceedings in electronic mode?▼

No. Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 uses the word may, which makes holding trials, inquiries and proceedings in electronic mode permissive rather than mandatory. Under Section 530 BNSS, all trials, inquiries and proceedings under the Sanhita, including process relating to a summons or warrant, examination of a complainant and witnesses, recording of evidence, and appellate or other proceedings, may be held in electronic mode by using electronic communication or audio-video electronic means.

Can a summons or warrant be issued, served and executed in electronic mode under Section 530 BNSS?▼

Yes. Section 530(i) BNSS expressly includes the issuance, service and execution of a summons and a warrant among the proceedings under the Sanhita that may be held in electronic mode. Under Section 530 BNSS, these steps relating to a summons or warrant may be carried out in electronic mode through the use of electronic communication or the use of audio-video electronic means.

How may witnesses be examined and evidence be recorded under Section 530 BNSS?▼

Section 530(ii) BNSS covers the examination of a complainant and witnesses, and Section 530(iii) BNSS covers the recording of evidence in inquiries and trials under the Sanhita. Both the examination of a complainant and witnesses and the recording of evidence in inquiries and trials may be held in electronic mode under Section 530 BNSS by using electronic communication or by using audio-video electronic means.

Does Section 530 BNSS apply to appellate proceedings as well as trials and inquiries?▼

Yes. In addition to trials and inquiries under the Sanhita, Section 530(iv) BNSS covers all appellate proceedings or any other proceeding under the Sanhita. Under Section 530 BNSS, all appellate proceedings and any other proceedings under the Sanhita may be held in electronic mode by use of electronic communication or by use of audio-video electronic means.

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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: 22 Oct 2026 ·