Section 471 CrPC: Exclusion of date on which Court is closed

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 471 CrPC at a Glance

Section 471 CrPC deals with exclusion of date on which Court is closed. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 517 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 517 →

What Section 471 CrPC Says

471. Exclusion of date on which Court is closed

Where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed, the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens.

Explanation

A Court shall be deemed to be closed on any day within the meaning of this section, if, during its normal working hours, it remains closed on that day.

Source: Section 471, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 471 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 471 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is headed Exclusion of date on which Court is closed. It states that where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed, the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens. The Explanation states when a Court shall be deemed to be closed on any day.

When Section 471 CrPC Applies

  • Section 471 CrPC applies where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed.
  • Section 471 CrPC states that the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens.
  • The Explanation to Section 471 CrPC states that a Court shall be deemed to be closed on any day if, during its normal working hours, it remains closed on that day.

Time Limits Under Section 471 CrPC

  • The day named in Section 471 CrPC for taking cognizance is the day on which the Court reopens.Act text: “on the day on which the Court reopens”
  • The Explanation to Section 471 CrPC refers to the normal working hours of the Court on that day.Act text: “during its normal working hours”

Example of Section 471 CrPC

The period of limitation in a case brought by Sunil expires on a day when the Court is closed throughout its normal working hours. Under Section 471 CrPC, the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens.

When Section 471 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 471 CrPC speaks of a period of limitation that expires on a day when the Court is closed. It does not deal with Section 468 CrPC, headed Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of the period of limitation.
  • Section 471 CrPC speaks of the day on which the Court reopens. It does not deal with Section 473 CrPC, headed Extension of period of limitation in certain cases.

Section 471 CrPC Under BNSS 517: What Changed

Section 471 CrPC is now covered under Section 517 BNSS.

Section 471 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found from 1 July 2024 as Section 517 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading and the same text, including the Explanation. The text contains no cross-reference to another section, so none is renumbered.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 471 vs BNSS 517) →

FAQs on Section 471 CrPC

When may the Court take cognizance under Section 471 CrPC?▼

Section 471 CrPC states that where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed, the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens.

When is a Court deemed to be closed under the Explanation to Section 471 CrPC?▼

The Explanation states that a Court shall be deemed to be closed on any day within the meaning of Section 471 CrPC if, during its normal working hours, it remains closed on that day.

What is the subject of Section 471 CrPC?▼

Section 471 CrPC is headed Exclusion of date on which Court is closed. It speaks of the case where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed.

Where is Section 471 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 471 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 517 BNSS. The Explanation to Section 471 CrPC is found in the Explanation to Section 517 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: 22 Oct 2026 ·