Section 48 CrPC: Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 48 CrPC at a Glance

Section 48 CrPC deals with pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 45 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 45 →

What Section 48 CrPC Says

48. Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions

A police officer may, for the purpose of arresting without warrant any person whom he is authorised to arrest, pursue such person into any place in India.

Source: Section 48, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 48 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions. A police officer may, for the purpose of arresting without warrant any person whom he is authorised to arrest, pursue such person into any place in India.

When Section 48 CrPC Applies

  • Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of a police officer, who may pursue a person.
  • Under Section 48 CrPC, the pursuit is for the purpose of arresting without warrant.
  • Under Section 48 CrPC, the person pursued is any person whom the police officer is authorised to arrest.
  • Under Section 48 CrPC, the police officer may pursue such person into any place in India.

Example of Section 48 CrPC

Inspector Rajesh, a police officer, is authorised to arrest Vikram. Before Rajesh can arrest Vikram, Vikram leaves for another place in India. Under Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Rajesh may, for the purpose of arresting Vikram without warrant, pursue Vikram into that place.

When Section 48 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of a police officer. It does not deal with a pursuit by a person who is not a police officer.
  • Section 48 CrPC speaks of a pursuit for the purpose of arresting without warrant. It does not deal with a pursuit for any other purpose.
  • Section 48 CrPC speaks of a person whom the police officer is authorised to arrest. It does not deal with a person whom the police officer is not authorised to arrest.
  • Section 48 CrPC speaks of any place in India. It does not deal with a place outside India.

Section 48 CrPC Under BNSS 45: What Changed

Section 48 CrPC is now covered under Section 45 BNSS.

Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 45 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 45 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 48 CrPC.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 48 vs BNSS 45) →

FAQs on Section 48 CrPC

When may a police officer pursue a person into another jurisdiction under Section 48 CrPC?▼

Under Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, a police officer may, for the purpose of arresting without warrant any person whom he is authorised to arrest, pursue such person into any place in India.

Is the pursuit under Section 48 CrPC for an arrest without warrant?▼

Yes. Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of a pursuit for the purpose of arresting without warrant any person whom the police officer is authorised to arrest.

What is the territorial limit of pursuit under Section 48 CrPC?▼

Section 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 says that the police officer may pursue such person into any place in India.

Where is the provision of Section 48 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 48 CrPC is found in Section 45 BNSS, which has the same heading. Section 48 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 45 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: 18 Oct 2026 ·