With the enforcement of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), criminal procedure in India has formally moved beyond the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). While lawyers are gradually adjusting to new terminology, the most sensitive procedural stages—cognizance, issuance of summons, and warrants—are where mistakes are most visible and most costly.
In this transition phase, a CrPC to BNSS converter has become an essential tool for ensuring procedural accuracy, especially in magistrate courts.
Why cognizance, summons & warrants need special care
These three stages are:
the first judicial application of mind
the foundation of trial proceedings
often scrutinised in revisions and quashing petitions
Errors here are not cosmetic—they go to the root of jurisdiction and legality.
Courts are now increasingly conscious of:
whether cognizance is taken under BNSS provisions
whether summons and warrants are issued citing the correct procedural law
Using outdated CrPC references in fresh orders or applications can invite objections, delays, and even adverse remarks.
The transition problem lawyers are facing
Most practitioners still:
think in CrPC section numbers
rely on old formats and precedents
use habitual phrases like “under Section 190 CrPC” or “summons under Section 204 CrPC”
But magistrates today function under BNSS, not CrPC.
This creates a gap between:
law on record and
law in force
A CrPC to BNSS converter bridges this gap instantly.
What a CrPC to BNSS Converter does (in simple terms)
A CrPC to BNSS converter:
maps old CrPC sections to their corresponding BNSS provisions
helps lawyers update applications, arguments, and drafts
prevents incorrect procedural citations
It is not about memorising BNSS—it is about verifying accuracy before filing or arguing.
Cognizance: where conversion matters most
Cognizance is the first formal act of the court. Traditionally, lawyers cited:
Section 190 CrPC (cognizance by Magistrate)
Now, cognizance must be understood and cited under the corresponding BNSS provision.
Practical issue
In ongoing cases, FIRs and charge sheets may still refer to CrPC, but:
fresh applications
objections
arguments on cognizance
must align with BNSS.
Best practice
Use dual reference in ongoing matters:
“Cognizance under the relevant provision of BNSS (corresponding to Section 190 CrPC).”
A converter ensures you never misstate this transition.
Summons: small procedural step, big legal impact
Issuance of summons is often treated casually—but it is one of the most litigated procedural steps in criminal law.
Common CrPC-era habit:
“Issue summons under Section 204 CrPC”
Under BNSS, summons flow from restructured procedural provisions, and courts expect lawyers to adapt.
Why incorrect citation is risky
Summons orders are frequently challenged in revisions
Procedural defects are easy grounds for interference
Incorrect statutory reference weakens defence of the order
A CrPC to BNSS converter helps you:
cite the correct BNSS provision
update drafting templates
argue procedural compliance confidently
Warrants: highest scrutiny, lowest tolerance for error
When it comes to bailable and non-bailable warrants, courts are extremely strict.
Why?
Warrants affect personal liberty
Higher courts closely examine legality
Procedural lapses invite quashing
Using outdated CrPC provisions in:
warrant applications
objections
recall petitions
can be fatal.
A converter ensures that:
your application reflects current procedural law
warrant issuance is defended on the correct statutory footing
In warrant matters, wrong section = weak order.
Where lawyers commonly make mistakes
Despite good intentions, errors happen in:
prayer clauses
copied precedents
standard magistrate-court formats
oral submissions
Examples:
citing CrPC section numbers in BNSS era
mixing CrPC and BNSS inconsistently
relying on memory instead of verification
A converter catches these errors before the court does.
Who benefits most from using a converter
Magistrate-court practitioners (daily procedural filings)
Public prosecutors (cognizance & process matters)
Defence lawyers (challenging summons/warrants)
Junior advocates & interns (draft preparation)
Law students (procedural clarity)
In trial courts, procedural accuracy is often valued more than elaborate arguments.
Best drafting approach during transition
Courts currently prefer clarity over rigidity.
Recommended approach:
Use BNSS provisions in fresh matters
Use dual citation in ongoing cases
Avoid deleting historical CrPC references blindly
A CrPC to BNSS converter helps you maintain this balance.
What courts really expect from lawyers
Judges are not testing your memory. They expect:
awareness of BNSS
effort to cite current law
procedural seriousness
Using a converter signals professional adaptation, not ignorance of CrPC.
Final takeaway
Cognizance, summons, and warrants form the procedural spine of criminal trials. In the BNSS era, errors at this stage are no longer excusable as “habitual”.
A CrPC to BNSS converter helps you:
verify sections before filing
update drafting templates
argue with confidence
avoid technical objections
In magistrate courts today, procedural accuracy is advocacy.For more details, you can refer to CrPC to BNSS Converter
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