Section 72 CrPC: Warrants to whom directed

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 72 CrPC at a Glance

Section 72 CrPC deals with warrants to whom directed. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 74 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 74 →

What Section 72 CrPC Says

72. Warrants to whom directed

(1) A warrant of arrest shall ordinarily be directed to one or more police officers; but the Court issuing such a warrant may, if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available, direct it to any other person or persons, and such person or persons shall execute the same.

(2) When a warrant is directed to more officers or persons than one, it may be executed by all, or by any one or more of them.

Source: Section 72, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 72 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 72 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the person to whom a warrant of arrest is directed. A warrant of arrest shall ordinarily be directed to one or more police officers.

The Court issuing the warrant may, if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available, direct it to any other person or persons, and such person or persons shall execute the warrant. Under Section 72(2) CrPC, when a warrant is directed to more officers or persons than one, it may be executed by all, or by any one or more of them.

When Section 72 CrPC Applies

  • A warrant of arrest shall ordinarily be directed to one or more police officers.
  • The Court issuing the warrant may direct it to any other person or persons if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available.
  • Such person or persons shall execute the warrant.
  • When a warrant is directed to more officers or persons than one, it may be executed by all, or by any one or more of them.

Example of Section 72 CrPC

A Court issues a warrant of arrest for Naveen. The warrant is ordinarily directed to one or more police officers. Under Section 72(1) CrPC, if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available, the Court may direct the warrant to Farhan, who is not a police officer, and Farhan shall execute the warrant. Under Section 72(2) CrPC, when a warrant is directed to more officers or persons than one, it may be executed by all, or by any one or more of them.

When Section 72 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 72(1) CrPC speaks of the person to whom a warrant of arrest is directed. It does not deal with the endorsement of the name of another police officer on the warrant, which Section 74 CrPC deals with.
  • Section 72(2) CrPC speaks of a warrant directed to more officers or persons than one. It does not deal with the form of a warrant of arrest, which Section 70 CrPC deals with.

Section 72 CrPC Under BNSS 74: What Changed

Section 72 CrPC is now covered under Section 74 BNSS.

Section 74 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 72 CrPC, with no renumbered cross-references.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 72 vs BNSS 74) →

FAQs on Section 72 CrPC

To whom is a warrant of arrest ordinarily directed under Section 72 CrPC?▼

A warrant of arrest shall ordinarily be directed to one or more police officers.

When may a Court direct a warrant to another person under Section 72 CrPC?▼

The Court issuing the warrant may, if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available, direct it to any other person or persons.

How may a warrant directed to more officers or persons than one be executed under Section 72 CrPC?▼

Under Section 72(2) CrPC, it may be executed by all, or by any one or more of them.

Where is Section 72 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 72(1) CrPC is found in Section 74(1) BNSS and Section 72(2) CrPC in Section 74(2) BNSS. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 from 1 July 2024.

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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: 20 Oct 2026 ·