BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA (BNSS) · SECTION 1
Short title, extent and commencement
Original Text
(1) This Act may be called the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. (2) It extends to the whole of India: Provided that the provisions of this Sanhita, other than those relating to sections 39, 40 and 41, shall not apply to the State of Nagaland and the tribal areas: Provided further that the concerned State Government may, by notification, apply such provisions or any of them to the whole or part of the State of Nagaland or such tribal areas, as the case may be, with such supplemental, incidental or consequential modifications, as may be specified in the notification. Explanation: For the purposes of this section, "tribal areas" means the territories specified in Parts I, II and III of the Table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
In Simple Words (English)
This section gives the name of the law and tells us where it applies. The law is called the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (old) or Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (new).
It applies to all of India, but with one exception — the State of Nagaland and certain tribal areas are not covered by most parts of this law. However, the state government of Nagaland can choose to apply some parts if they want.
Tribal areas mean the special regions listed in the Constitution's Sixth Schedule.
The law started on 1st April 1974 (under the old code). Under the new code, the government will announce the start date later through an official notice.
Real-Life Example
Example 1: A court in Mumbai hears a murder case. CrPC/BNSS applies because Maharashtra is within the whole of India. The court follows this code for procedures like arrest, bail, and trial.
Example 2: A crime happens in Kohima, Nagaland. Most of the CrPC/BNSS does not automatically apply. But the Nagaland government can issue a notification to bring certain sections into force there.
Example 3: A theft occurs in a tribal area in Assam (listed in Sixth Schedule). The court there will not follow most of CrPC/BNSS unless the state government notifies otherwise.
Example 4: A person is arrested in Delhi for cheating. The police follow arrest and remand provisions under this code because Delhi is fully covered.
Example 5: On 31st March 1974, a case is pending. Next day, 1st April 1974, the old CrPC 1973 comes into force. The court applies the new procedure from that date.
Example 6: The Central Government passes BNSS 2023 but says it will come into force on 1st July 2024. Until that date, the old CrPC 1973 continues to apply.
सरल हिंदी में
यह सेक्शन बताता है कि इस कानून का नाम क्या है और यह कहाँ लागू होता है। पुराने कानून का नाम है 'दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973' और नए का नाम है 'भारतीय नागरिक सुरक्षा संहिता 2023'।
यह पूरे भारत में लागू होता है, लेकिन एक अपवाद है — नागालैंड राज्य और कुछ आदिवासी इलाकों में इसके ज़्यादातर प्रावधान लागू नहीं होते। हालाँकि, नागालैंड सरकार चाहे तो कुछ प्रावधानों को लागू कर सकती है।
आदिवासी इलाकों का मतलब वे क्षेत्र हैं जो संविधान की छठी अनुसूची में लिखे हैं।
पुराना कानून 1 अप्रैल 1974 से लागू हुआ था। नए कानून की तारीख सरकार बाद में अधिसूचना के ज़रिए बताएगी।
Disclaimer: This plain-language explanation is for educational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate and the official gazette text for legal matters.