Section 151 CrPC: Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 151 CrPC at a Glance

Section 151 CrPC deals with arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 170 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 170 →

What Section 151 CrPC Says

151. Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences

(1) A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.

(2) No person arrested under sub-section (1) shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law for the time being in force.

Source: Section 151, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 151 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.

Under Section 151(1) CrPC, a police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.

Under Section 151(2) CrPC, no person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or of any other law for the time being in force.

When Section 151 CrPC Applies

  • Section 151(1) CrPC applies to a police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence.
  • That police officer may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing.
  • The arrest may be made if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.
  • Section 151(2) CrPC applies to a person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC.

Time Limits Under Section 151 CrPC

  • Section 151(2) CrPC says that no person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest.Act text: “shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest”
  • That period applies unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or of any other law for the time being in force.Act text: “unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law for the time being in force”

Example of Section 151 CrPC

Arjun, a police officer, knows of a design by Mohan to commit a cognizable offence. Under Section 151(1) CrPC, Arjun may arrest Mohan without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, if it appears to Arjun that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented. Under Section 151(2) CrPC, Mohan shall not be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of the arrest unless the further detention of Mohan is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or of any other law for the time being in force.

When Section 151 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 151(1) CrPC speaks of a design to commit any cognizable offence. It does not deal with a design to commit an offence that is not a cognizable offence.
  • Section 151(2) CrPC speaks of a person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC. It does not deal with a person arrested on a warrant.

Section 151 CrPC Under BNSS 170: What Changed

Section 151 CrPC is now covered under Section 170 BNSS.

Section 170 BNSS has the same text as Section 151 CrPC. The heading of Section 170 BNSS reads Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences where the heading of Section 151 CrPC read Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences. Section 170(2) BNSS reads any other provisions of this Sanhita where Section 151(2) CrPC read any other provisions of this Code.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 151 vs BNSS 170) →

FAQs on Section 151 CrPC

When may a police officer arrest under Section 151 CrPC?▼

A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.

Does Section 151(1) CrPC need orders from a Magistrate or a warrant?▼

Section 151(1) CrPC says the police officer may arrest without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant.

For how long may a person arrested under Section 151 CrPC be detained in custody?▼

Section 151(2) CrPC says no person arrested under Section 151(1) CrPC shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the Code or of any other law for the time being in force.

Where is Section 151 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 151(1) CrPC is found in Section 170(1) BNSS and Section 151(2) CrPC in Section 170(2) 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: 22 Oct 2026 ·