Section 342 CrPC: Power to order costs

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 342 CrPC at a Glance

Section 342 CrPC deals with power to order costs. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 381 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 381 →

What Section 342 CrPC Says

342. Power to order costs

Any Court dealing with an application made to it for filing a complaint under section 340 or an appeal under section 341, shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.

Source: Section 342, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 342 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is about costs. Any Court dealing with an application made to it for filing a complaint under Section 340 CrPC or an appeal under Section 341 CrPC shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.

When Section 342 CrPC Applies

  • The Court is dealing with an application made to it for filing a complaint under Section 340 CrPC or an appeal under Section 341 CrPC.
  • The Court shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.

Example of Section 342 CrPC

A Court is dealing with an application made to it by Ramesh for filing a complaint under Section 340 CrPC. Under Section 342 CrPC, the Court shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.

When Section 342 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 342 CrPC speaks of costs on an application for filing a complaint or on an appeal. It does not deal with the complaint itself. Section 340 CrPC is titled Procedure in cases mentioned in section 195.
  • Section 342 CrPC speaks of costs on an appeal. It does not deal with the appeal itself. Section 341 CrPC is titled Appeal.

Section 342 CrPC Under BNSS 381: What Changed

Section 342 CrPC is now covered under Section 381 BNSS.

Section 342 CrPC and Section 381 BNSS have the same heading and the same text, except for renumbered cross-references. Section 381 BNSS refers to Section 379 BNSS and Section 380 BNSS where Section 342 CrPC referred to Section 340 CrPC and Section 341 CrPC.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 342 vs BNSS 381) →

FAQs on Section 342 CrPC

Which Court may make an order as to costs under Section 342 CrPC?▼

Any Court dealing with an application made to it for filing a complaint under Section 340 CrPC or an appeal under Section 341 CrPC.

What kind of order as to costs may the Court make under Section 342 CrPC?▼

Such order as to costs as may be just.

Does Section 342 CrPC fix an amount of costs?▼

The text of Section 342 CrPC gives no amount. It says that the Court shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.

Where is Section 342 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 342 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 381 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: 20 Oct 2026 ·