Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman
Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman. If a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
If a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
Section 456, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act 46 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure
CRPC 416 Postponement of capital sentence pregnant woman Close, with changes 79%
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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
Questions about Section 456
What does Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita deal with?
Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is headed "Commutation of sentence of death on pregnant woman". If a woman sentenced to death is found to be pregnant, the High Court shall commute the sentence to imprisonment for life.
How do I find court cases under Section 456 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 456, section 456 BNSS, section 456 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.
What should I read with Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and has it changed?
It carries forward CrPC 416 (Postponement of capital sentence pregnant woman), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita come into force?
Section 456 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, cited as BNSS 456, 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.