With the enforcement of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), criminal procedure in India has officially moved beyond the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). However, the reality on the ground is very different: thousands of criminal cases are still pending, registered, investigated, and partially tried under CrPC.
This has created a practical question for lawyers across trial courts, sessions courts, and appellate forums:
“How do we handle CrPC sections correctly in pending cases after BNSS?”
The answer lies in accurate, careful conversion, and that is where a CrPC to BNSS section converter becomes indispensable.
First things first: Pending cases are still valid
One major fear among lawyers was that once BNSS came into force:
FIRs under CrPC would become invalid
charge sheets would need re-filing
trials would have to restart
This is not true.
Courts recognise that:
pending cases lawfully commenced under CrPC
past procedural steps remain valid
evidence already recorded stands
What has changed is how future drafting, applications, and arguments should be framed.
Where the real problem arises in pending cases
In pending matters, lawyers regularly file:
fresh bail applications
interim applications
objections and replies
discharge applications
arguments on charge
applications for summons or warrants
If these are drafted only under CrPC, they immediately look outdated. If they are drafted only under BNSS, they may disconnect from the existing record.
This is where confusion, objections, and unnecessary delays begin.
Why a CrPC to BNSS Converter is essential for pending cases
A CrPC to BNSS converter helps lawyers:
identify the corresponding BNSS provision
maintain continuity with IPC/CrPC-based records
avoid guesswork in section numbers
draft confidently in the transition phase
For pending cases, conversion is not about replacement—it is about alignment.
The golden rule for pending criminal cases: Dual citation
Courts across jurisdictions are most comfortable when lawyers use dual references.
Recommended format:
“Section ___ of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to Section ___ of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).”
This format:
respects the CrPC foundation of the case
aligns with the BNSS framework currently in force
avoids confusion during hearings and appellate review
A converter ensures this mapping is accurate, not assumed.
Step-by-step: Using a CrPC to BNSS Converter in pending cases
Step 1: Identify procedural stages still to come
Ask yourself:
Is the case at bail stage?
Arguments on charge pending?
Trial ongoing?
Summons or warrants involved?
Conversion is needed for every future procedural step, not for past ones.
Step 2: List all CrPC sections you intend to rely on
This includes:
bail-related provisions
remand and custody provisions
summons/warrant provisions
revision or recall provisions
Do not convert mentally—list them first.
Step 3: Convert each CrPC section using a converter
CrPC → BNSS is not a simple renumbering exercise. Some provisions are:
reorganised
merged
restructured
A converter helps you avoid:
wrong section citation
incorrect procedural basis
embarrassment during oral arguments
Step 4: Use dual citation in drafting
In pending cases:
do not delete CrPC references entirely
do not use BNSS in isolation
Use BNSS as the primary reference, with CrPC as historical context.
Step 5: Prepare for oral arguments
Judges may ask:
“What is the provision under BNSS?”
“How does this relate to the old CrPC section?”
A converter ensures you:
answer confidently
avoid pauses or guesswork
maintain credibility
Common mistakes lawyers make in pending cases
❌ blindly replacing CrPC with guessed BNSS numbers
❌ deleting all CrPC references from ongoing matters
❌ mixing CrPC and BNSS inconsistently
❌ relying on old drafting templates without updating
❌ assuming courts will “adjust” automatically
Most of these errors are avoidable with proper conversion.
High-risk areas where conversion matters most
🔹 Bail & remand
Wrong procedural citation here can:
weaken bail arguments
invite objections from prosecution
delay relief
🔹 Cognizance & process
Errors at this stage are frequently challenged in:
revisions
quashing petitions
🔹 Summons & warrants
Since personal liberty is involved, courts show very low tolerance for procedural mistakes.
Why juniors and interns need converters the most
In pending cases, juniors often:
prepare drafts
brief seniors
manage multiple files
A CrPC to BNSS converter helps them:
avoid basic drafting errors
learn procedural transition properly
build confidence in court work
For juniors, section accuracy is often judged before legal reasoning.
What courts actually expect during the transition
Courts do not expect perfection—but they do expect:
awareness of BNSS
effort to adapt
correct statutory reference in fresh filings
Using a converter shows professional seriousness, not ignorance of CrPC.
Final takeaway
Pending criminal cases live in two procedural worlds:
CrPC for past steps
BNSS for present and future conduct
Handling this transition poorly creates confusion. Handling it smartly builds credibility.
A CrPC to BNSS section converter allows you to:
convert accurately
draft safely
argue confidently
avoid technical objections
In the BNSS era, pending cases don’t need panic—they need proper conversion.For more details, you can refer to CrPC to BNSS Converter
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