CRPC §304 → BNSS §341

Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checked
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Verify current status against official sources. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

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Comparison

Old law
CRPC §304
Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases

304. Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases.—(1) Where, in a trial before the Court of Session, the accused is not represented by a pleader, and where it appears to the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage a pleader, the Court shall assign a pleader for his defence at the expense of the State.

(2) The High Court may, with the previous approval of the State Government, make rules providing for— (a) the mode of selecting pleaders for defence under sub-section (1); (b) the facilities to be allowed to such pleaders by the Courts; (c) the fees payable to such pleaders by the Government, and generally, for carrying out the purposes of sub-section (1).

(3) The State Government may, by notification, direct that, as from such date as may be specified in the notification, the provisions of sub-sections

(1) and

(2) shall apply in relation to any class of trials before other Courts in the State as they apply in relation to trials before Courts of Session.

New law
BNSS §341
are instituted to be defended. Legal aid to accused at in certain cases.

341.

(1) Where, in a trial or appeal before a Court, the accused is not represented by an advocate, and where it appears to the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage an advocate, the Court shall assign an advocate for his defence at the expense of the State.

(2) The High Court may, with the previous approval of the State Government, make rules providing for— (a) the mode of selecting advocates for defence under sub-section (1); (b) the facilities to be allowed to such advocates by the Courts; (c) the fees payable to such advocates by the Government, and generally, for carrying out the purposes of sub-section (1).

(3) The State Government may, by notification, direct that, as from such date as may be specified in the notification, the provisions of sub-sections

(1) and

(2) shall apply in relation to any class of trials before other Courts in the State as they apply in relation to trials before Courts of Session.

What changedAI-inferred

Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases.

Old position

CrPC 304 is concerned with Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases. Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases

New position

BNSS 341 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: are instituted to be defended. Legal aid to accused at in certain cases.. Where, in a trial or appeal before a Court, the accused is not represented by an advocate, and where it appears to the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage an advocate, the Court shall assign an advocate for his

BNSS 341 (are instituted to be defended. Legal aid to accused at in certain cases.) preserves the framework of CrPC 304. BNSS 341 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNSS 341 text: ...

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNSS 341 (are instituted to be defended. Legal aid to accused at in certain cases.) preserves the framework of CrPC 304. BNSS 341 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.

BNSS 341 text: Where, in a trial or appeal before a Court, the accused is not represented by an advocate, and where it appears to the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage an advocate, the Court shall assign an advocate for his defence at the expense of the State.(2) The High Court may, with the previous approval...

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, CrPC 304 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNSS 341 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.

Frequently asked

BNSS 341 (are instituted to be defended. Legal aid to accused at in certain cases.). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.

Government source

The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.

Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, CRPC §304 → BNSS §341 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/crpc/304.

Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01

Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.