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Thursday, 12 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XXXVI: Disposal Of Property

Section 503 BNSS: Procedure by police upon seizure of property

Corresponding CrPC
Section 457 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) Whenever the seizure of property by any police officer is reported to a Magistrate under the provisions of this Sanhita, and such property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit respecting the disposal of such property or the delivery of such property to the person entitled to the possession thereof, or if such person cannot be ascertained, respecting the custody and production of such property.

(2) If the person so entitled is known, the Magistrate may order the property to be delivered to him on such conditions (if any) as the Magistrate thinks fit and if such person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain it and shall, in such case, issue a proclamation specifying the articles of which such property consists, and requiring any person who may have a claim thereto, to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from the date of such proclamation.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Where a police officer's seizure of property is reported to a Magistrate and the property is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit for its disposal or delivery to the person entitled to possession. If that person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain it and issue a proclamation specifying it.

Chapter XXXVI: Disposal Of Property

  1. 497 Order for custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases
  2. 498 Order for disposal of property at conclusion of trial
  3. 499 Payment to innocent purchaser of money found on accused
  4. 500 Appeal against orders under section 498 or section 499
  5. 501 Destruction of libellous and other matter
  6. 502 Power to restore possession of immovable property
  7. 503 Procedure by police upon seizure of property
  8. 504 Procedure where no claimant appears within six months
  9. 505 Power to sell perishable property