Section 149 CrPC: Police to prevent cognizable offences

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 149 CrPC at a Glance

Section 149 CrPC deals with police to prevent cognizable offences. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 168 BNSS.

Now BNSS

What Section 149 CrPC Says

149. Police to prevent cognizable offences
Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing, and shall, to the best of his ability, prevent, the commission of any cognizable offence.

Source: Section 149, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 149 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the prevention of cognizable offences by police officers. Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence. Every police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

When Section 149 CrPC Applies

Section 149 CrPC applies to every police officer.
A police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence.
A police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

Example of Section 149 CrPC

Mohan, a police officer, sees Arjun about to commit a cognizable offence against Priya. Under Section 149 CrPC, Mohan may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of that offence. Under Section 149 CrPC, Mohan shall prevent the commission of that offence to the best of Mohan's ability.

When Section 149 CrPC Does Not Apply

Section 149 CrPC speaks of the commission of any cognizable offence. It does not deal with an offence that is not a cognizable offence.
Section 149 CrPC speaks of interposing and preventing. It does not deal with the arrest of a person designing to commit an offence.

Section 149 CrPC Under BNSS 168: What Changed

Section 149 CrPC is now covered under Section 168 BNSS.

Section 168 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 149 CrPC.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 149 vs BNSS 168) →

FAQs on Section 149 CrPC

Who may interpose under Section 149 CrPC?▼

Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence.

What must a police officer do under Section 149 CrPC?▼

Every police officer shall, to the best of his ability, prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

Which offences does Section 149 CrPC speak of?▼

Section 149 CrPC speaks of the commission of any cognizable offence.

Where is Section 149 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 149 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 168 BNSS. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 from 1 July 2024.

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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: 20 Oct 2026 ·