---
title: "CrPC Section 186 in BNSS: Section 206 | Vakilat"
description: "CrPC Section 186 is now Section 206 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Official headings and which code applies."
url: https://www.vakilat.io/law/crpc-to-bnss/186
---

### Browse old and new laws

# CrPC Section 186 in the BNSS

Section 186 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place, is now Section 206 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

## CrPC 186 and the BNSS

CrPC BNSS BNSS heading 186 [206](https://www.vakilat.io/law/bnss-to-crpc/206) High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place.

## Which code applies

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024. An appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation already pending on that date continues under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

> “if, immediately before the date on which this Sanhita comes into force, there is any appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation pending, then, such appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation shall be disposed of, continued, held or made, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, as in force immediately before such commencement”

> BNSS section 531(2)(a)

The Supreme Court applied this in Parvinder Singh v. Directorate of Enforcement, 2026 INSC 519: once a proceeding is initiated under the CrPC, it must reach its conclusion under the CrPC, and an inquiry begins only when the court takes cognizance.

Which code governs your matter can turn on the date of the offence and the stage the case had reached on 1 July 2024. Read the official text before you rely on any table.

## Sources

Section numbers follow the [correspondence table](https://www.keralaprisons.gov.in/userfiles/act-and-rules/comparison_summary_BNSS_to_CrPC.pdf) prepared by the Central Academy for Police Training, Bhopal, of the Bureau of Police Research and Development. Headings are taken from the [Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15272/1/the_code_of_criminal_procedure,_1973.pdf) and the [Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/250884_2_english_01042024.pdf) as published, and from the table. The official text governs: read the section itself before you rely on it.

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