✓ Substantially Identical

Law Transition Comparison: Section 223 BNSS vs Section 200 CrPC

Side-by-side analysis of statutory changes, penal differences, bailable classification, trial courts, and precedents following India's July 2024 criminal law transition.

AI Legal Analysis & Key Differences

No material statutory changes have been made to the core text of this provision during the transition. The wording, elements, and thresholds remain substantially identical. However, practitioners must adapt to the new section numbering and procedural alignment under the 2023 Sanhitas.

Transition Checklist for Legal Practitioners

✓

Verify Date of Offense (Crucial for Application)

If the alleged offense occurred before July 1, 2024, substantive charges must be filed under the old act (CrPC). For offenses on or after July 1, 2024, use the new Sanhita (BNSS).

✓

Nomenclature Audit in Pleadings

Ensure all draft petitions, FIRs, charge sheets, and bail applications refer to Section 223 of the BNSS instead of the old Section 200 of the CrPC.

✓

Confirm Savings Clause Compliance

Apply the savings clause (Section 531 BNSS or Section 358 BNS) to confirm that any trials, appeals, or investigations pending as of July 1, 2024 continue under the old code (CrPC) as if the new Sanhitas had not been enacted.

✓

Review Updated Bail and Trial Jurisdiction

Double-check the schedule in BNSS or CrPC to verify if the trial court jurisdiction (e.g. Session Court vs Magistrate) or the bailable status has been altered for Section 223.

Act Source (Active Site)

Section 223

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Official Statutory Text

(1) A Magistrate having jurisdiction while taking cognizance of an offence on complaint shall examine upon oath the complainant and the witnesses present, if any, and the substance of such examination shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the complainant and the witnesses, and also by the Magistrate: Provided that no cognizance of an offence shall be taken by the Magistrate without giving the accused an opportunity of being heard: Provided further that when the complaint is made in writing, the Magistrate need not examine the complainant and the witnesses— (a) if a public servant acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties or a Court has made the complaint; or (b) if the Magistrate makes over the case for inquiry or trial to another Magistrate under section 212: Provided also that if the Magistrate makes over the case to another Magistrate under section 212 after examining the complainant and the witnesses, the latter Magistrate need not re-examine them. (2) A Magistrate shall not take cognizance on a complaint against a public servant for any offence alleged to have been committed in course of the discharge of his official functions or duties unless— (a) such public servant is given an opportunity to make assertions as to the situation that led to the incident so alleged; and (b) a report containing facts and circumstances of the incident from the officer superior to such public servant is received.

Procedural Profile

Offence Category	N/A / Procedural
Bail Eligibility	Procedural
Arrest Classification	Procedural
Trial Court	Procedural
Max Punishment	Procedural

Act Source (Compared)

Section 200

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Official Statutory Text

A Magistrate taking cognizance of an offence on complaint shall examine upon oath the complainant and the witnesses present, if any, and the substance of such examination shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the complainant and the witnesses, and also by the Magistrate;
Provided that, when the complaint is made in writing, the Magistrate need not examine the complainant and the witnesses,
	
		if a public servant acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties or a Court has made the complaint; or
		if the Magistrate makes over the case for inquiry or trial to another Magistrate under section 192;
Provided further that if the Magistrate makes over the case to another Magistrate under section 192 after examining the complainant and the witnesses, the latter Magistrate need not re-examine them.

Procedural Profile

Offence Category	N/A / Procedural
Bail Eligibility	Procedural
Arrest Classification	Procedural
Trial Court	Procedural
Max Punishment	Procedural

Explore Section 223 Details Explore Section 200 Details