Section 455 CrPC: Destruction of libellous and other matter

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 455 CrPC at a Glance

Section 455 CrPC deals with destruction of libellous and other matter. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 501 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 501 →

What Section 455 CrPC Says

455. Destruction of libellous and other matter

(1) On a conviction under section 292, section 293, section 501 or section 502 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

(2) The Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under section 272, section 273, section 274 or section 275 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Source: Section 455, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 455 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 455 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is headed Destruction of libellous and other matter.

Under Section 455(1) CrPC, on a conviction under Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 293 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code or Section 502 of the Indian Penal Code, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

Under Section 455(2) CrPC, the Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under Section 272 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 273 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 274 of the Indian Penal Code or Section 275 of the Indian Penal Code, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

When Section 455 CrPC Applies

  • Section 455(1) CrPC applies on a conviction under Section 292 IPC, Section 293 IPC, Section 501 IPC or Section 502 IPC.
  • Under Section 455(1) CrPC, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had.
  • Those copies are ones which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.
  • Section 455(2) CrPC applies in like manner on a conviction under Section 272 IPC, Section 273 IPC, Section 274 IPC or Section 275 IPC.
  • Under Section 455(2) CrPC, the Court may order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Example of Section 455 CrPC

Ramesh is convicted under Section 292 IPC. Copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had are in the custody of the Court, and other copies remain in the possession or power of Ramesh. Under Section 455(1) CrPC, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

When Section 455 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 455 CrPC speaks of the destruction of copies of a thing, or of food, drink, drug or medical preparation, on a conviction. It does not deal with the disposal of property at the conclusion of a trial, which is the subject of Section 452 CrPC.
  • Section 455 CrPC speaks of things in the custody of the Court or in the possession or power of the person convicted. It does not deal with the power to restore possession of immovable property, which is the subject of Section 456 CrPC.

Section 455 CrPC Under BNSS 501: What Changed

Section 455 CrPC is now covered under Section 501 BNSS.

From 1 July 2024, Section 501 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 455 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same. Section 501(1) BNSS and Section 501(2) BNSS cite sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 where Section 455(1) CrPC and Section 455(2) CrPC cited sections of the Indian Penal Code. The rest of the text is the same.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 455 vs BNSS 501) →

FAQs on Section 455 CrPC

On a conviction under which sections may the Court order destruction under Section 455(1) CrPC?▼

Under Section 455(1) CrPC, on a conviction under Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 293 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code or Section 502 of the Indian Penal Code, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

What may the Court order destroyed under Section 455(2) CrPC?▼

Under Section 455(2) CrPC, the Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under Section 272 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 273 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 274 of the Indian Penal Code or Section 275 of the Indian Penal Code, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Does Section 455 CrPC say the Court may or shall order destruction?▼

Section 455(1) CrPC and Section 455(2) CrPC both say that the Court may order destruction.

Where is Section 455 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 455(1) CrPC is found in Section 501(1) BNSS and Section 455(2) CrPC in Section 501(2) BNSS. Section 452 CrPC is found in Section 498 BNSS and Section 456 CrPC in Section 502 BNSS.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 22 Oct 2026 ·