Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
CrPC Section 197 in BNSS
Prosecution of Judges and public servants. Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Prosecution of Judges and public servants) corresponds to Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Verify before you rely on this. Renumbering under the 2023 codes is not a clean one-to-one exercise — provisions were merged, split and reworded. Always check the printed bare act.
Where this sits in the exam
This provision is examined under CrPC & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, worth 10 of the 100 marks in AIBE XXII. The paper permits bare acts but bans notes, so what matters is finding it quickly, not reciting the number.
Questions that turn on this section
Sanction of the appropriate Government is required for prosecution of a public servant for acts done in discharge of official duty under:
Answer & explanation
Section 218 BNSS
The protection applies to Judges, Magistrates and public servants not removable from office save by or with the Government's sanction, in respect of acts purporting to be done in official duty.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 were renumbered:
| CrPC | Provision | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | Making over of cases to Magistrates | 212 |
| 193 | Cognizance of offences by Courts of Session | 213 |
| 195 | Prosecution for contempt of lawful authority of public servants | 215 |
| 198 | Prosecution for offences against marriage | 219 |
| 199 | Prosecution for defamation | 222 |
| 200 | Examination of complainant | 223 |
Practise it
Cutoff has AIBE XXII questions on this area, each cited to both codes with a line telling you where to find it in the bare act. Ten questions per subject are free, no account needed.
Practise free Full CrPC→BNSS table