Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
CrPC Section 320 in BNSS
Compounding of offences. Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Compounding of offences) corresponds to Section 359 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
Compounding of offences is governed by:
Answer & explanation
Section 359 BNSS
The section lists offences compoundable without court permission and those compoundable only with permission. Composition has the effect of an acquittal.
Compounding of an offence is permitted:
Answer & explanation
For the offences listed in Section 359 BNSS, some with the court's permission
The list is exhaustive; the first table needs no permission, the second requires the court's.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 were renumbered:
| CrPC | Provision | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| 313 | Power to examine the accused | 351 |
| 315 | Accused person to be competent witness | 353 |
| 319 | Power to proceed against other persons appearing to be guilty | 358 |
| 321 | Withdrawal from prosecution | 360 |
| 353 | Judgment | 392 |
| 354 | Language and contents of judgment | 393 |
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