Powers of superior officers of police
Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with powers of superior officers of police. Police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
Police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.
Section 30, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act 46 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure
CRPC 36 Powers of superior officers of police Text carried over almost unchanged 95%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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State of Maharashtra vs Sarabgdharsingh Shivdassing Chavan
Decided under Code of Criminal Procedure 36, which this section replaces. The court did not have this Act before it.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The Chief Minister of a State cannot lawfully issue instructions to police authorities to give special treatment in the registration of criminal cases to any individual or family, regardless of their political status, because such interference violates the mandatory statutory obligation of police to register cognizable offences under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code and breaches the constitutional guarantee of equality before law under Article 14 of the Constitution. Any such executive direction is unconstitutional, constitutes an abuse of power, and subverts the rule of law, which is a vital component of the constitutional framework ensuring equal protection and access to justice for all citizens.
On this section: Cited in context of Government's attempt to justify direction by reference to State Government's power to direct senior police officer to take cognizance
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 30
What have the courts held on Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita?
State of Maharashtra vs Sarabgdharsingh Shivdassing Chavan (14 Dec 2010) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below, though it was decided under CRPC 36, which this section replaced -- the court never mentioned this Act: Cited in context of Government's attempt to justify direction by reference to State Government's power to direct senior police officer to take cognizance.
How do I find court cases under Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNSS 30, section 30 BNSS, section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with State of Maharashtra vs Sarabgdharsingh Shivdassing Chavan (14 Dec 2010).
What should I read with Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and has it changed?
It carries forward CrPC 36 (Powers of superior officers of police), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita come into force?
Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, cited as BNSS 30, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 359. Compounding of offences1355 words
- 187. Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in twenty-four hours1122 words
- 2. Definitions956 words
- 243. Trial for more than one offence930 words
- 35. When police may arrest without warrant881 words
- 480. When bail may be taken in case of non-bailable offence823 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.