Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
Replacing CrPC
The BNSS, 2023, enacted as part of three simultaneous criminal law reforms, replaced the 163-year-old Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). The other two reforming statutes were the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS, replacing IPC) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA, replacing the Indian Evidence Act). These came into force on July 1, 2024.
- BNSS introduces statutory timelines for several criminal justice steps — aimed at reducing procedural delays
- Discharge timelines under BNSS: applications must be filed within 60 days; courts must decide within 60 days of filing
- BNSS adds discharge provisions for summons cases (Section 274) — previously, CrPC had no discharge mechanism for summons-triable offences
- Trials in absentia: BNSS allows trial of proclaimed offenders who have fled in absentia — a new addition
- Electronic proceedings: BNSS explicitly permits virtual/electronic conduct of trials, recording of evidence, etc.
● Tracked since March 05, 2026 · last seen July 02, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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