BNSS Section 191 — Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subject to restraint

Summary

No complainant or witness travelling to court can be forced to go with a police officer, be treated with unnecessary restraint or inconvenience, or be made to give any security for appearing in court other than their own personal bond. However, if a complainant or witness refuses to attend court or to sign a bond as directed under section 190, the officer in charge of the police station may send them in custody to the Magistrate, who can keep them in custody until they sign the bond or until the case hearing is finished.

Official Text

No complainant or witness on his way to any Court shall be required to accompany a police officer, or shall be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience, or required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond:

Provided that if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in section 190, the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §171 — Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subject to restraint