The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) was the principal procedural statute for criminal law in India for over five decades. Replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) with effect from 1 July 2024, the CrPC continues to govern proceedings for offences committed before the transition date — a substantial universe of pending matters that will continue for years.
**Core provisions under the CrPC — still applicable to pending cases:** — Section 154: FIR registration (now BNSS 173 for new offences) — Section 161: Police statements (now BNSS 180) — Section 164: Magistrate-recorded statements (now BNSS 183) — Section 167: Custody regime (now BNSS 187, with modifications) — Section 173: Police report / chargesheet (now BNSS 193) — Section 438: Anticipatory bail (now BNSS 482) — Section 482: Inherent powers of the High Court (now BNSS 528)
**Applicability rule.** For any offence committed before 1 July 2024, the CrPC governs the investigation, prosecution, trial, and appellate procedure — regardless of when the FIR is registered or cognizance taken. This means CrPC-era case law, section numbers, and procedural rules remain directly relevant for a large body of pending matters and will continue to be so for years as these matters work through the system.
**Practical consequence.** Advocates drafting pleadings for pre-transition offences cite CrPC section numbers, not BNSS. Advocates drafting for post-transition offences cite BNSS. Mixing the two in a single pleading draws judicial impatience and can invite scrutiny of the underlying regime applicability.