The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) is India's criminal procedure code, replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) with effect from 1 July 2024. The BNSS governs the procedural framework of criminal investigation, prosecution, trial, and appeal — the how of criminal law, distinct from the what (which is in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, or BNS).
**Key structural changes from CrPC.** The BNSS largely preserves the CrPC framework while renumbering sections and introducing some substantive updates. Notable section-mappings: FIR registration (CrPC 154 to BNSS 173); statements under Section 164 (CrPC 164 to BNSS 183); maximum police custody (CrPC 167 to BNSS 187 — with the custody-distribution update discussed below); anticipatory bail (CrPC 438 to BNSS 482); inherent powers of the High Court (CrPC 482 to BNSS 528).
**The custody distribution change.** Section 187 BNSS modifies the police-custody regime that was in Section 167 CrPC. Under the old regime, police custody was capped at 15 days from first remand. Under the new regime, the 15 days can be distributed across the first 40 or 60 days of investigation (depending on offence). This gives investigating agencies more flexibility and is one of the most significant substantive changes in the new regime.
**Applicability rule.** Same as the BNS: offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 are investigated under the BNSS; earlier offences continue under the CrPC. Practitioners juggle both regimes during the transition period.