BNS PRESENTATION for basic information.pdf

Short PPT on BNS

1. BharatiyaNagarikSuraksha
Sanhita, 2023

2. Introduction
•Delayindeliveryofjusticesduetocomplexlegal
procedures,largependencyofcasesintheCourt,low
convictionrate,insufficientuseoftechnologyinlegal
system,delaysininvestigationsystem,inadequateuse
offorensicsarethebiggesthurdlesinspeedydelivery
ofjustice.
•Inviewoftheobjectandreasons,thegovernmentof
Indiaon11/08/2023introducedBNSSintheLokSabha
withtheobjectivetorepealtheCr.PC,1973asamark
ofthe74
th
yearsofindependent.
•TheBNSSretainsmostoftheprovisionoftheCr.PC.

3. Timeline to Implement
•TheLokSabhapassedthebillon20/12/2023
andRajaySabhapassedthebillon
21/12/2023.
•ReceivedtheassentofthePresidenton
25/12/2023.
•UnionGovt.hasnotifiedthatthenewcriminal
lawswillcomeintoeffectfrom01/07/2024.

4. Objective
•TheBharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita,2023
(“BNSS”)isanActtoconsolidateandamend
thelawrelatingtoCriminalProcedureandhas
beengivenassentbythePresidentofIndiaon
25thDecember2023.
•Itshallcomeintoforceon01/07/2024.

5. Definitions
a)Section2(a):-“audio-videoelectronicmeans”
shallincludeuseofanycommunicationfor
thepurposeofvideoconferencing,
recordingofprocessesofidentification,
search and seizure or evidence,
transmissionofelectroniccommunicationand
forsuchotherpurposesand
bysuchothermeansastheStateGovernment
may,byrulesprovide;

6. Section2(i):-“electroniccommunication”meansthe
communicationofanywritten,verbal,pictorial
informationorvideocontenttransmittedortransferred
(whetherfromonepersontoanotherorfromonedeviceto
anotherorfromapersontoadeviceorfromadevicetoa
person).
bymeansofanelectronicdeviceincluding
atelephone,
mobilephoneorotherwirelesstelecommunicationdevice,
acomputer
oraudio-videoplayer
orcamra
oranyotherelectronicdevice
orelectronicformasmaybespecifiedbynotification,by
theCentralGovernment.

7. Hierarchy of Courts
•TheCrPCempowersthestategovernmentsto
notifyanycityortownwithapopulationofmore
thanonemillionasametropolitanarea(Section8
ofCr.PC).SuchareashaveMetropolitan
Magistrates(Section16Cr.PC).
•TheBNSSremovestheclassificationof
metropolitanareasandMetropolitanMagistrates.

8. Establishing a Directorate of
Prosecution
•InSection20oftheBNSS,theconceptofDirectorate
ofProsecutionhasbeenintroducedforeachofthe
statestoestablish(withaprescribedhierarchy)withthe
statedpurposeofmonitoringcasesbyscrutinizing
policereports,expeditingproceedings,andproviding
opinionsonfilingofappeals,whereverapplicable.
•DirectorofProsecutionshallmonitorcasesinwhich
offencesarepunishablefor10yearsormore,orwith
lifeimprisonment,orwithdeath:toexpeditethe
proceedingsandtogiveopiniononfilingofappeals.

9. In Relation to Arrest
•Section35oftheBNSSnowconsolidates
Sections41and41AoftheCrPC2intoone
section.Incaseofanoffencepunishablefor
lessthan3years,andwhereapersonisinfirm
orabove60yearsofage,anarrestcanbe
madeonlyifanofficernotbelowtherankof
DeputySuperintendentofPolicegrantsprior
permissionforsucharrest.

10. •Asregardsarrestbyaprivateperson(Section
40ofBNSS),atimelimitofsixhourshasnow
beenintroducedwithinwhichtheprivate
personwillhavetomakeoversuchpersonso
arrestedtothePolice.

11. Arrest how made/handcuffing
•UnderSection43oftheBNSS,providesthatapoliceofficermay,
keepinginviewthenatureandgravityofoffenceusehandcuffwhile
makingthearrestofapersonorwhileproducingsuchpersonbefore
thecourt,whoisahabitualorarepeatoffender,orwhoescaped
fromcustody,orwhohascommittedoffenceoforganizedcrime,
terrorist,drugrelatedcrimeorillegalpossessionofarmsand
ammunition,murder,rape,acidattack,counterfeitingofcoinsand
currencynotes,humantrafficking,sexualoffenceagainstchildrenor
offenceagainststate.
•TheBNSS,contradictingtheHon’bleSupremeCourtdirectionin
SunilBatraVsDelhiadministrationandPremSankrShuklaVs.
DelhiAdministration,formallybringsbacktheusageofhandcuff.
•Section43oftheBNSSdealingwithmannerinwhichanarrestisto
bemade,providesthepolicewithdiscretionarypowerstohandcuff
accusedpersonsforseriousoffences.

12. •Asregardsarrestofawoman, inSection
43(1)oftheBNSS,anobligationhasbeencast
onthepolicetoeffectuatethearrestofa
womanonlybyafemalepoliceofficeror
unlessthecircumstancessorequire.

13. Medical Examination
•WhiletheCr.PCmandatesthemedical
examinationoftheaccusedinspecificcases,
includingrape,carriedoutbyaregistered
medicalpractitionerupontherequestofaSub-
inspectorlevelpoliceofficer.
•Section51oftheBNSSexpandsthisauthority
toanypoliceofficer.Nowanypoliceofficer
canrequestforthemedicalexaminationofthe
accused.

14. Identification and Attachment of Property of Proclaimed
Person
•Section86ofBNSSprovidesthattheCourtmay,onthe
writtenrequestfromapoliceofficernotbelowtherank
ofSuperintendentofPoliceorCommissionerofPolice,
initiatetheprocessofrequestingassistancefroma
CourtoranauthorityinthecontractingStatefor
identification,attachmentandforfeitureofproperty
belongingtoaproclaimedperson.
•Theintentionbehindthisprovisionseemstobeeither
tosecurethepresenceoffugitivesorconfiscate
propertiesoffugitiveswhoareevading
summons/investigation/trialandhavepropertiesoutside
thecountry.

15. •AsperSection82(4)ofCriminalProcedure
Codeasper2005Amendment,someonecan
bedeclaredasa‘Proclaimedoffender’foronly
nineteenspecifiedoffencesunderIPCnamely,
“ 302,304,364,367,382,392,393,394,395,
396,397,398,399,400,402,436,449,459or
460”.

16. •Thisledtosituationswhensomeone
repeatedlyevadinglegalprocessesof
summons/warrantforanyotheroffenceunder
generalpenalcodeofIPCoranyotherspecial
lawcouldnotbedeclaredasaProclaimed
offender.
•Byremovingthearbitrarylistofsections,any
accusedofanoffencewithmorethan10years
ofimprisonmentorotherspecialoffences
couldbedeclaredaproclaimedoffender.

17. •Significantdefaultsarebeingcommittedby
manyloandefaulterswhoescapejusticeby
fleeingabroad.
•Section356hasbeenaddedtotheBNSS
whichprovidesforadetailedprocedurefor
conductingatrial/inquiryintheabsenceofa
persondeclaredas‘Proclaimedoffender’.

18. Additional power for attachment
and for forfeiture of property
•Section107ofBNSSgivesmagistratepowertoattachedproperty
identifiedas“processedofcrime”
•ThemagistratemayuponanapplicationofanI.O.givingreasonsto
believethatpropertyisderivedfromacriminalactivity,passthe
followingorders:-
a)Directattachmentofpropertyfoundtobe“proceedsofcrime”
afterhearingallpartiesconcerned:
b)Passanex-partyinterimorderattachingproperty:-ifthe
magistrateisoftheopinionthatissuingnoticetotheownerofthe
propertyforattachmentwilldefeattheobjectoftheattachmentor
seizure:and
c)Upondeterminationthatthepropertyinquestionfallsunder
proceedofcrime,themagistratewilldirecttheDistrictMagistrate
torateablydistributethepropertyamongstthosewhoareaffected
bysuchcrime.

19. •Notably,aspertheexplanationtothissection,
theword‘proceedsofcrime’isdefinedin
Section111oftheBNSSandisakintothe
definitionofthetermunderthePreventionof
MoneyLaunderingAct,2002.
•TheexerciseofpowersgrantedunderBNSSis
notrestrictedtoscheduleofoffencesbutmay
coveralloffencesundertheIPC

20. •Thepowerincludesnotjusttracingtheproperty
butalsoattachinganyequivalentoftheproperty.
•Theintentionbehindthisprovisionseemstobe
eithertosecurethepresenceoffugitivesor
confiscatepropertiesoffugitiveswhoareevading
summons/investigation/trialandwhohave
propertiesoutsidethecountry.
•However,thereisapossibilityofoverlapbetween
thisprovisionandtheFugitiveEconomic
OffenderAct,2018,whichalsoprovidesfor
requestingcontractingstatesforexecutionof
orderofconfiscationofpropertyoffugitive
offenders.

21. Seizure of Immovable Property
•TheBNSSbroadensthescopeoftheCrPC’s
policepowerinpropertyseizure.Whilethe
CrPCinitiallyallowedtheseizureofmovable
propertiessuspectedtobestolenorfound
undersuspiciouscircumstances.
•TheBNSSextendsthisauthoritytoinclude
immovablepropertiesaswell.

22. Power to remove obstructions by a police
officer
•Section172oftheBNSSisanewlyinsertedprovision
whichcastsanobligationonpersonstoconformtothe
lawfuldirectionsofapoliceofficerinthefulfillmentof
anyofhisdutyundertherelevantchapterpertainingto
thepreventiveactionofthePolice.
•Further,thePoliceofficerhasthepowertodetainor
removeanypersonresisting,refusing,ignoring,or
disregardingtoconformtoanydirectiongivenbysuch
policeofficer.
•Thepoliceofficermayeitherpresentsuchperson
beforeaMagistrateorinpettycases,releasehimwithin
aperiodof24hours.

23. ZERO FIR
•ItismandatoryforpolicetoregisteraFIRwhere
informationregardingcommissionofa
cognizableoffenceisreceivedeitherorallyor
throughelectroniccommunicationirrespectiveof
whetherithasjurisdictionornot(Section173of
BNSS).
•OncethezeroFIRregister,theconcernedPolice
StationcantransfersuchFIRtothePoliceStation
whichhasjurisdictiontoinvestigatethecase.

24. Introduction of timelines Preliminary
enquiry and investigation
•Oneofthemoresignificantchangessoughttobe
broughtaboutthroughtheBNSSistheattemptto
addressthedelaysininvestigationandtrial.
Specifiedtimelineshavebeenprescribedfor
variousstagesofthecriminalprocessincludingto
completetheinvestigationandfileafinalreport
andfortrialoftheoffence.
•Forinstance,itismandatoryforaMagistrateto
decidewhethertotakecognizanceofthecharge
sheetwithinaperiodof14days.

25. •InSection173(3)oftheBNSS(which
correspondstoSection154oftheCrPC),for
offencespunishablefor3yearsormorebut
lessthan7years,theofficerinchargemay
withthepriorpermissionoftheDeputy
SuperintendentofPoliceproceedtoconducta
preliminaryenquirywithin14daystoascertain
ifthereexistsaprimafaciecaseandproceed
withtheinvestigationwherethereexistsone.

26. •ThisseemstocontradictthedirectionoftheHon’ble
SupremeCourtinLalitaKumariVsGovt.ofUttra
Pardeshwhichmandatedthepolicetorecord
informationofacognizableoffenceasFIRand
investigatetheoffenceregardlessofwhatthepolicefelt
aboutthecredibilityoftheinformation.
•AnotherchangeisfoundinSection173(4)
(correspondingtoSection154(4)oftheCrPC)which
providesthatthecomplainantmayfileanapplicationto
theMagistratetoregisteranFIRonlyifthe
SuperintendentofPolicedoesnotinvestigatethecase
ordirectasubordinatepoliceofficertoinvestigate,in
accordancewiththeBNSS.

27. •Section155oftheCrPC(underSection174(1)of
theBNSS)hasbeenaugmentedbyintroducinga
timeperiodofafortnightforapoliceofficerto
forwardthedailydiaryreporttotheMagistrate.
•Asregardsthepoliceofficer’spowerto
investigatecognizableoffences,theBNSSnow
providesthattheSuperintendentofPolicemay
requiretheDeputySuperintendentofPoliceto
investigatetheoffence.TheBNSSfurther
providesthataJudicialMagistratemaytake
cognizanceofacomplaintagainstapublic
servant.

28. Report of police officer on completion
of investigation
•Crucially,Section193oftheBNSS
(correspondingtoSection1736oftheCrPC)now
castsanobligationonthePolicetoinformthe
victimorinformantoftheprogressofthe
investigationincludingbyelectronic
communicationwithinaperiodof90days.
Further,theBNSSalsopermitsfurther
investigationafterthechargesheethasbeen
submittedtotheMagistratebutnowrequiresthat
suchfurtherinvestigationshallbecompleted
within90days,butwhichmaybeextendedwith
thepermissionoftheCourt.

29. Sanction for Prosecution
•Section218oftheBNSS(correspondingto
Section197oftheCrPC)nowprovidesthat
theGovernmentshalltakethedecisionof
whethertograntsanctionforprosecutionof
judgesorpublicservantswithin120daysfrom
thedateofreceiptoftherequestforsanction
andifitfailstodoso,thesanctionshallbe
deemedtohavebeenaccorded.

30. Committal to the Sessions Court
•Incasesinvolvingoffenceswhicharetriable
exclusivelybyasessionscourt,whichare
requiredtobecommittedbytheMagistrate
underSection209oftheCrPC,the
correspondingSection232ofBNSSstipulates
atimeperiodof90daystocommitthe
offencestothesessionscourt,whichmaybe
extendedforaperiodnotexceeding180days
forreasonstoberecordedinwriting.

31. Framing of charge, trial, and
Judgment
•Inrelationtoframingofcharges,atimelineof60dayshas
beenspecified(inSection251(1)(b)oftheBNSS)forthe
Sessionsjudgefromthedateofthefirsthearingtoframein
writingachargeagainsttheaccused.
•Section258(1)oftheBNSS(correspondingtoSection
235(1)9oftheCrPC)providesthatafterhearingarguments
andpointsoflaw,thejudgeshallgiveajudgmentwithin30
daysfromthecompletionofarguments,whichmayfor
specificreasonsextendtoaperiodof45days,forreasonsto
berecordedinwriting.
•Finally,theBNSSunderSection392,providesthatthe
Courtshalluploadacopyofthejudgmentonitsportal
within7daysfromthedateofjudgment“NoSuch
ProvisioninCr.PC”.

32. Discharge
•Section262oftheBNSS(correspondingtoSection239
oftheCr.PC)providesatimelimittotheaccusedto
preferanapplicationfordischargewithinaperiodof60
daysfromthedateofsupplyofcopiesofdocuments
underSection230oftheCrPC.
•Section274oftheBNSShasanewlyinsertedproviso
providingthatiftheMagistrateconsidersthe
accusationasgroundless,heshall,afterrecording
reasonsinwriting,releasetheaccusedandsuchrelease
shallhavetheeffectofdischarge.

33. Summary trial
•TheBNSSnowprovidesthattheMagistrate
may,aftergivingtheaccusedareasonable
opportunityofbeingheard,forreasonstobe
recordedinwriting,tryinasummaryway,all
oranyoftheoffencesnotpunishablewith
deathorimprisonmentforlifeorimprisonment
foratermexceeding3years,providedthatno
appealshalllieagainstanysuchdecisionofa
Magistrate(Section283).

34. Signature and finger impression
•TheCr.P.C.authorizesMagistratetodemand
specimensignatureorhandwritingfrom
individuals.
•Section349oftheBNSSbroadensthisscope
andfurtherembowersthemagistrateto
demandcollectionoffingerimpressionsand
voicesamplestoo.
•Thisprovisionextendstoindividualswhohave
notbeenarrestedunderanyinvestigation.

35. Use of electronic communication and video
conferencing in investigation, inquiry and trial
•TheBNSShassoughttoadoptelectronic
communicationandvideoconferencing
facilitiesatvariousstagesincludingatthetime
ofinquiry,investigation,andtrial.For
instance,theBNSSpermitsgivinginformation
asregardscommissionofacognizablein
electronicform.

36. Issuance of process
•AsummonsissuedbyaCourtunderSection63
(correspondingtoSection61oftheCrPC),orawitness
underSection71,orawarrantmayalsobeintheformof
electroniccommunication.
•Section94oftheBNSS(correspondingtoSection91ofthe
CrPC)nowpermitsaCourtoranofficerinchargeofa
policestationtosummonelectroniccommunicationwhich
islikelytocontaindigitalevidence.
•Section231oftheBNSSprovidesthatsupplyofcopiesof
statementsanddocumentstoaccusedinothercasestriable
byCourtofSessionarepermittedtobeissuedbythe
Magistrateinanelectronicform.

37. Use of audio-visual electronic means
in investigations
•UnderSection176oftheBNSSprovidingfor
procedureforinvestigationofcognizableoffence
(correspondingtoSection157oftheCrPC),the
statementofthevictimmayalsoberecordedthrough
audio-videoelectronicmeansincludingacellphone,as
alsothatofawitnessunderSection265(3)ofthe
BNSS.
•Similarly,Section185oftheBNSS(dealingwith
searchbyapoliceofficercorrespondingtoSection165
ofheCrPC)requiresthesearchtoberecordedthrough
audio-visualelectronicmeanspreferablybycellphone.

38. Production of Devices Containing
Digital Evidence
•ACourtoranofficerinchargeofapolicestationcan
compelproductionofcommunicationdeviceswhich
arelikelytocontaindigitalevidencefromtheperson
whoisinpossessionofsuchdigitalevidence.
•Thisprovisionmaygivetheinvestigatingauthority
unrestricteduseofelectronicdeviceincompletebreach
ofrighttoprivacyaswellasprivilege.
•Thepositiveaspectofhavingsuchaprovisionisthat
theproductionoforiginaldeviceswillensurethe
genuinenessofthedigitalevidence.
•Ifsuchdigitalevidenceshavebeendeleted,withtheaid
oftechnology,suchevidencescanberetrieved.

39. Conduct of proceedings through
electronic means
•Section355oftheBNSS(correspondingtoSection317
oftheCrPC)nowinsertsanewexplanationtosub-
section(2)providingthatpersonalattendanceofthe
accusedincludesattendancethroughaudiovideo
electronicmeans.
•Onthesamevein,Section530oftheBNSSnowallows
thatalltrials,inquiriesandproceedingsincluding
issuance,serviceandexecutionofsummonsand
warrant;examinationofcomplainantandwitnesses;
recordingofevidenceininquiriesandtrials;andall
appellateproceedingsoranyotherproceedingmaybe
heldinelectronicmode,byuseofelectronic
communicationoruseofaudio-videoelectronicmeans.

40. Forensic Experts
•Aspersection176ofBNSSoffencescarryinga
minimumofpunishmentof7yearimprisonment
necessitateforensicinvestigation.
•Intheseinstances,forensicexpertarerequiredto
visitcrimescenesforevidencecollection,
documentingtheprocessusingelectronicdevices
alikemobilephone.
•Theseexpertareresponsibleforbothevidence
collectionanddocumentingthereprocesser.

41. Cheating through electronic means
•Fromtheperspectiveofeconomicoffences,
particularlyinrelationtotheoffenceof
cheating,Section202(1)oftheBNSS
correspondingtoSection182oftheCrPCnow
includescheatingbyelectronic
communicationsandaCourtwithinwhose
localjurisdictionsuchelectronic
communicationsorlettersormessageswere
sentorwerereceivedhasbeenempoweredto
trysuchoffence.

42. Custody of an accused
•UnderSection187(2)oftheBNSS(correspondingto
Section167(2)oftheCrPC),aMagistratetowhoman
accusedisforwarded,mayauthorizedetentionofcustodyof
theaccusedforatermnotexceeding15daysinthewhole,
orinpartsatanytimeduringtheinitial40daysoutof60
daysor60daysoutof90days.
•TheMagistratemaynowauthorizedetentioninpolice
custodybeyondtheperiodof15daysifthereexistadequate
groundsfordoingso.However,suchdetentionshallnot
exceed90days,wheretheinvestigationrelatestoan
offencepunishablewithdeath,imprisonmentforlifeor
imprisonmentforatermof10yearsormore,or60daysin
caseofanyotheroffence.

43. •TheBNSSprovidesthatiftheaccusedisnot
incustody(correspondingtoSection170of
theCrPC),thepoliceofficershalltakethe
securityfromsuchpersonforhisappearance
beforetheMagistrateandtheMagistrateto
whomsuchreportisforwardedshallnotrefuse
toacceptthesameonthegroundthatthe
accusedisnottakenincustody.

44. Bail and Anticipatory Bail
•Thedefinitionsofbail,bond,andbailbondhave
alsobeenaddedtoSection2oftheBNSS.The
BNSSnowprovidesthatwhereaninvestigation,
inquiry,ortrialinmorethanoneoffenceorin
multiplecasesarependingagainstaperson,he
shallnotbereleasedonbailbytheCourt.
•Moreimportantly,withregardtoanticipatorybail
underSection438oftheCrPC,thenewSection
482oftheBNSSomitsthefactorscontainedin
Section438(1)forgrantofanticipatorybail.
Further,Section438(1A)and(1B)standomitted.

45. Cognizance of special law and cases
against public servants
•TheBNSS,underSection210(1)nowpermitsa
magistratetotakecognizanceofanyoffencealsoin
relationtoacomplaintfiledbyapersonauthorized
underanyspeciallawwhichconstitutesanoffence.
•theMagistratemayalsotakecognizanceagainsta
publicservantarisinginthecourseofdischargeofhis
officialdutiessubjectto(i)receivingareport
containingfactsandcircumstancesoftheincidentfrom
theofficersuperiortosuchpublicservant;and(ii)after
considerationoftheassertionsmadebythepublic
servantastothesituationthatledtotheincidentso
alleged.

46. Trial against an absconding person
•AnothersignificantadditionthroughtheBNSSistheintroductionof
Section356,whichprovidesforaninquiry,trialtobeconductedora
judgmenttobepassedagainstaproclaimedoffender,inabsentia.
•Intryingaproclaimedoffenderwhohasabscondedtoevadetrial
andwherethereisnoimmediateprospectofarrestinghim,itshall
bedeemedtooperateaswaiveroftherightofsuchpersontobe
presentandtriedinperson,andtheCourtshall,afterrecording
reasonsinwriting,intheinterestofjustice,proceedwiththetrialin
thelikemannerandwithlikeeffectasifhewaspresent,underthis
Sanhitaandpronouncethejudgment.
•Further,theproclaimedoffendershallnotpreferanappealunlesshe
presentshimselfbeforetheCourtofAppeal.
•Further,noappealagainstconvictionshalllieaftertheexpiryof
threeyearsfromthedateofjudgment.

47. Other relevant provisions In relation
to trial
•Section269(7)oftheBNSS(correspondingto
Section246oftheCrPC)whichisnewlyinserted
providesthatwheredespitegivingopportunityto
theprosecutionandaftertakingallreasonable
measures,,iftheattendanceofprosecution
witnessescannotbesecuredforcross
examination,itshallbedeemedthatsuchwitness
hasnotbeenexaminedfornotbeingavailable,
andtheMagistratemayclosetheprosecution
evidenceforreasonstoberecordedinwritingand
proceedwiththecaseonthebasisofthematerials
onrecord.

48. •Section336oftheBNSSprovidesthatwhereanydocumentor
reportpreparedbyapublicservant,scientificexpert,medicalofficer
ofinvestigatingofficerispurportedtobeusedasevidenceinany
enquiry,trialorotherproceedingunderthisCodeand
•(i)suchpublicservant,expertofofficeriseithertransferred,retired
ordied;or
•(ii)suchpublicservant,expertorofficercannotbefoundoris
incapableofgivingdepositionorsecuringthepresenceofsuch
publicservant,expertorofficerislikelytocausedelayinholding
theinquiry,trialorproceeding,theCourtshallsecurepresenceof
successorofficerofsuchpublicservant,expertorofficerwhois
holdingthatpostatthetimeofsuchdepositiontogivedepositionon
suchdocumentorreport.
•However,thesectionalsoprovidesthatnopublicservant,scientific
expert,ormedicalofficershallbecalledtoappearbeforeCourt
unlesstheirreportisdisputedbyanyofthepartiestothetrialor
otherproceedings.

49. Witness Protection Scheme
•ByvirtueofSection398oftheBNSS,every
StateGovt.shallprepareandnotifyaWitness
ProtectionSchemefortheStatewithaviewto
ensureprotectionofwitnesses.

50. Withdrawal from Prosecution
•AsperCr.PCthePublicProsecutororAPP
maywiththeconcernedoftheCourtwithdraw
fromtheprosecutionofanypersons.
•AsperBNSSnoCourtshallallowsuch
withdrawalwithoutgivinganopportunityof
beingheardtothevictimincase.

51. Compoundable Offences
•Section359oftheBNSS(correspondingtoSection320of
theCrPC)nowremovesadulteryforthetableof
compoundableoffences.
•Itprovidesforcompoundingwiththepermissionofthe
Courtfortheoffenceofdefamation,specifiedunderSection
356(2)oftheBNSS,asagainst
ThePresidentor
TheVice-Presidentor
TheGovernorofaStateor
TheAdministratorofaUnionTerritoryor
Aministerinrespectofhispublicfunctionswheninstituted
uponacomplaintmadebythepublicprosecutor.

52. Clarifications with respect to
Limitation period and
Superintendence of the High Court
•TheBNSSnowclarifiesthat(i)forcomputing
theperiodoflimitation,therelevantdateshall
bethedateoffilingcomplaintunderSection
223orthedateofrecordinginformationunder
Section173;and(ii)thateveryHighCourt
shallsoexerciseitssuperintendenceover
SessionsCourtsinthestate.

53. Conclusion
•Inanutshell,insofarastheprescriptionoftimelinesfor
inquiry,investigationandtrialandformaladoptionof
audio-visualandelectronicmeansfortoundertakevarious
processes,theproposedchangesareintendedtointroducea
moreefficientandtechnologicallyalignedregimefor
administrationofcriminaljusticeandmoveawayfromthe
languageofBritish-eracriminallaws.
•However,itsefficacyintherealworlddependsnotonlyon
themannerinwhichsuchprovisionsareimplementedand
adheredtoinletterandspirit,butalsoonensuringthatall
magistrates,lawenforcementpersonnel,andalliedagencies
undergothenecessarytrainingtoimplementthechanges
thattheBNSSbringsinitswordandspirit.