Forms
Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with forms. Subject to the power conferred by article 227 of the Constitution, the forms set forth in the Second Schedule, with such variations as the circumstances of each case require, may be used for the respective purposes therein mentioned, and if used shall be sufficient. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
Subject to the power conferred by article 227 of the Constitution, the forms set forth in the Second Schedule, with such variations as the circumstances of each case require, may be used for the respective purposes therein mentioned, and if used shall be sufficient.
Section 522, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act 46 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure
CRPC 476 Forms Text carried over almost unchanged 100%
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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
-
Om Parkash Bali vs State Th. I/c Crime Branch
Decided under Code of Criminal Procedure 476, which this section replaces. The court did not have this Act before it.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In cross-criminal cases involving the same subject matter, both cases can proceed simultaneously before the same court. The pendency of one case does not prevent framing of charges or proceeding in the other case. An accused cannot rely on Section 476 CrPC or Section 195 CrPC to prevent prosecution for forgery merely because the same cheque has been tendered as evidence in a parallel complaint filed by the accused. Trial courts must not order calling of record of cases without stating reasons and legal provisions, as such orders suffer from non-application of mind and can be quashed by the High Court.
On this section: Restriction on prosecution for offences requiring private complaint. Petitioner argued this section prevents forgery prosecution when cheque was tendered as evidence in Section 138 complaint. Court rejected this argument.
-
Nand Kishore Sharma vs Maria Burnadette Collingasm
Decided under Code of Criminal Procedure 476, which this section replaces. The court did not have this Act before it.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Criminal prosecution under Section 476 CrPC for using a fabricated document cannot be initiated without a prior judicial determination of the document's genuineness in appropriate civil proceedings. Where the validity of a document is pending adjudication before a competent civil court, a criminal court cannot simultaneously proceed with prosecution based on allegations that the document is fabricated, as this would create conflicting determinations and violate principles of judicial propriety. The court must record clear findings regarding the exact nature of the alleged offence before ordering criminal prosecution.
On this section: Section 476 CrPC allows for criminal prosecution to be initiated on the basis of information received by a Magistrate or on a complaint. However, the court held that this section cannot be invoked to prosecute someone for using a fabricated document unless there has been a prior judicial determination that the document is indeed fabricated. The court emphasized that the District Judge erred in ordering prosecution without such determination.
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.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
-
… The learned counsel further submits that the investigation officer in Crime No.301 of 2024, in order to apprehend the petitioner, had obtained a P.T. warrant. However, the petitioner was released on 09.04.2025. It is further submitted that the investigation officer issued a notice under Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 [for short 'B.N.S.S.'] requiring the petitioner to appear 14.09.2024. It is submitted that the petitioner made a representation on 13.09.2024, informing the investigation officer that he could not appear on 14.09.2024 and requested adequate time to appear. Thereafter, …
Questions about Section 522
What have the courts held on Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita?
Om Parkash Bali vs State Th. I/c Crime Branch (16 Mar 2018) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below, though it was decided under CRPC 476, which this section replaced -- the court never mentioned this Act: Restriction on prosecution for offences requiring private complaint. Petitioner argued this section prevents forgery prosecution when cheque was tendered as evidence in Section 138 complaint. Court rejected this argument. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2015 to 2018.
How do I find court cases under Section 522 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 522, section 522 BNSS, section 522 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. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Om Parkash Bali vs State Th. I/c Crime Branch (16 Mar 2018).
What should I read with Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and has it changed?
It carries forward CrPC 476 (Forms), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita come into force?
Section 522 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, cited as BNSS 522, 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.