Section 135 CrPC: Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 135 CrPC at a Glance

Section 135 CrPC deals with person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 154 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 154 →

What Section 135 CrPC Says

135. Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause

The person against whom such order is made shall—

(a) perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby; or

(b) appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same.

Source: Section 135, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 135 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 135 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the person to whom an order is addressed to obey or show cause. The person against whom such order is made shall perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby, or appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same.

When Section 135 CrPC Applies

  • Under Section 135 CrPC, the person against whom such order is made shall either perform the act directed by the order or appear and show cause against it.
  • Under Section 135(a) CrPC, the person shall perform the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order.
  • Under Section 135(b) CrPC, the person shall appear in accordance with the order and show cause against the same.

Time Limits Under Section 135 CrPC

  • Under Section 135(a) CrPC, the act directed by the order is performed within the time specified in the order.Act text: “within the time and in the manner specified in the order”

Example of Section 135 CrPC

An order is made against Rajesh directing the performance of an act within a stated time and in a stated manner. Under Section 135(a) CrPC, Rajesh shall perform the act within the time and in the manner specified in the order. Or, under Section 135(b) CrPC, Rajesh shall appear in accordance with the order and show cause against the same.

When Section 135 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 135 CrPC speaks of the person against whom such order is made performing the act or showing cause. It does not deal with the service or notification of the order, which Section 134 CrPC deals with.
  • Section 135(a) CrPC speaks of performing the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order. It does not deal with the consequences of the person failing to perform the act or appear and show cause, which Section 136 CrPC deals with.
  • Section 135(b) CrPC speaks of appearing in accordance with the order and showing cause against the same. It does not deal with the procedure where the existence of a public right is denied, which Section 137 CrPC deals with.

Section 135 CrPC Under BNSS 154: What Changed

Section 135 CrPC is now covered under Section 154 BNSS.

From 1 July 2024, Section 135 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading. Section 154(b) BNSS adds the words and such appearance or hearing may be permitted through audio-video conferencing, which Section 135(b) CrPC does not contain. The rest of the text reads the same.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 135 vs BNSS 154) →

FAQs on Section 135 CrPC

What must the person against whom the order is made do under Section 135 CrPC?▼

Under Section 135 CrPC, the person against whom such order is made shall perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby, or appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same.

Within what time and in what manner is the act performed under Section 135(a) CrPC?▼

Under Section 135(a) CrPC, the person shall perform the act directed by the order within the time and in the manner specified in the order.

What does Section 135(b) CrPC say about showing cause?▼

Under Section 135(b) CrPC, the person shall appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same.

Where is Section 135 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 135 CrPC is found in Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 135(a) CrPC is found in Section 154(a) BNSS and Section 135(b) CrPC in Section 154(b) BNSS.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 22 Oct 2026 ·