Section 36 CrPC: Powers of superior officers of police

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 36 CrPC at a Glance

Section 36 CrPC deals with powers of superior officers of police. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 30 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 30 →

What Section 36 CrPC Says

36. Powers of superior officers of police

Police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

Source: Section 36, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 36 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the powers of superior officers of police.

An officer in charge of a police station exercises powers within the limits of his station.

Under Section 36 CrPC, police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

When Section 36 CrPC Applies

  • Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 applies to police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Under Section 36 CrPC, such police officers may exercise the same powers as may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Under Section 36 CrPC, such police officers may exercise those powers throughout the local area to which they are appointed.
  • Under Section 36 CrPC, the powers are those that may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station within the limits of his station.

Example of Section 36 CrPC

Rajesh is a police officer superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station, and Rajesh is appointed to a local area that includes the police station where Vikram is the officer in charge. A matter arises within that local area. Under Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Rajesh may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which Rajesh is appointed, as may be exercised by Vikram within the limits of the station.

When Section 36 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 does not apply to a police officer who is not superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station.
  • Section 36 CrPC does not authorise a superior police officer to exercise powers outside the local area to which that officer is appointed.

Section 36 CrPC Under BNSS 30: What Changed

Section 36 CrPC is now covered under Section 30 BNSS.

Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 30 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 36 CrPC: police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 36 vs BNSS 30) →

FAQs on Section 36 CrPC

Who can exercise powers under Section 36 CrPC?▼

Under Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

What is the territorial scope of a superior officer under Section 36 CrPC?▼

An officer in charge of a police station exercises powers within the limits of his station. Under Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, a police officer superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers throughout the local area to which the superior officer is appointed.

Does Section 36 CrPC create powers beyond those of an officer in charge of a police station?▼

No. Section 36 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of the same powers as may be exercised by an officer in charge of a police station within the limits of his station. Police officers superior in rank to such an officer may exercise those powers throughout the local area to which they are appointed.

Where is Section 36 CrPC found from 1 July 2024?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 36 CrPC is found in Section 30 BNSS, which has the same heading, Powers of superior officers of police. Section 36 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 30 BNSS.

Have questions about Section 36 CrPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

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: 18 Oct 2026 ·