Section 431 CrPC: Money ordered to be paid recoverable as a fine
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 431 CrPC at a Glance
Section 431 CrPC deals with money ordered to be paid recoverable as a fine. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 471 BNSS.
What Section 431 CrPC Says
431. Money ordered to be paid recoverable as a fine
Any money (other than a fine) payable by virtue of any order made under this Code, and the method of recovery of which is not otherwise expressly provided for, shall be recoverable as if it were a fine:
Provided that section 421 shall, in its application to an order under section 359, by virtue of this section, be construed as if in the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 421, after the words and figures “under section 357”, the words and figures “or an order for payment of costs under section 359” had been inserted.
Source: Section 431, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 431 CrPC in Simple Words
Section 431 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with money ordered to be paid.
Any money other than a fine payable by virtue of any order made under this Code, and the method of recovery of which is not otherwise expressly provided for, shall be recoverable as if it were a fine.
The proviso reads Section 421 CrPC, in its application to an order under Section 359 CrPC, as if, after the words and figures under section 357 in the proviso to Section 421(1) CrPC, the words and figures or an order for payment of costs under section 359 had been inserted.
When Section 431 CrPC Applies
- Section 431 CrPC speaks of money other than a fine payable by virtue of any order made under this Code.
- It speaks of money for which the method of recovery is not otherwise expressly provided for.
- Such money shall be recoverable as if it were a fine.
- The proviso speaks of Section 421 CrPC in its application to an order under Section 359 CrPC.
Example of Section 431 CrPC
When Section 431 CrPC Does Not Apply
- Section 431 CrPC speaks of money other than a fine. It does not deal with the levy of a fine itself, for which Section 421 CrPC provides a warrant.
Section 431 CrPC Under BNSS 471: What Changed
Section 431 CrPC is now covered under Section 471 BNSS.
Section 471 BNSS has the same heading as Section 431 CrPC. Its text is the same except that it reads this Sanhita where Section 431 CrPC read this Code, Section 461 BNSS where Section 431 CrPC read Section 421 CrPC, Section 400 BNSS where it read Section 359 CrPC and Section 395 BNSS where it read Section 357 CrPC.
View detailed comparison (CrPC 431 vs BNSS 471) →FAQs on Section 431 CrPC
How is money other than a fine recoverable under Section 431 CrPC?▼
Any money other than a fine payable by virtue of any order made under this Code, and the method of recovery of which is not otherwise expressly provided for, shall be recoverable as if it were a fine.
What does the proviso to Section 431 CrPC say about Section 421 CrPC?▼
Section 421 CrPC shall, in its application to an order under Section 359 CrPC, by virtue of Section 431 CrPC, be construed as if, after the words and figures under section 357 in the proviso to Section 421(1) CrPC, the words and figures or an order for payment of costs under section 359 had been inserted.
Which order does the proviso to Section 431 CrPC name?▼
An order under Section 359 CrPC, which is headed Order to pay costs in non-cognizable cases.
Where is Section 431 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼
Section 431 CrPC has a proviso but no numbered sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 471 BNSS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 21 Oct 2026 ·