Replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC, 1973)—a colonial-era legislation that governed India’s criminal justice administration. Historically, criminal procedure in India was shaped by the legacy of CrPC, 1973. In 2023, the Central Government introduced a new framework to address shortcomings and outdated provisions in the old legislation, aligning it with contemporary societal and judicial needs.
The BNSS, 2023 places particular emphasis on the protection of women and children, ensuring their rights and interests are safeguarded and exploitation is actively prevented. Another key objective is to make criminal procedure more flexible and litigant-friendly, without compromising the integrity or timeliness of justice delivery.
The BNSS 2023:
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (Legislative Department) New Delhi, the 25th December, 2023/Pausha 4, 1945 (Saka) The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 25th December, 2023 and is hereby published for general information :-
THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023 NO. 46 OF 2023 [25th December, 2023.]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Criminal Procedure. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows :-