Difference Between Summon and Warrant Under BNSS, 2023

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, both summons and warrants are legal orders issued by a court, but they serve different purposes.

A summon, under Section 63 BNSS, is a written order directing a person to appear in court on a specific date. It is usually used in civil cases or for less serious criminal offences and does not involve arrest.

A warrant, on the other hand, under Section 72 BNSS, is a written order that authorizes the police to arrest a person. It is issued in serious criminal cases or when the summons is not followed. Warrants give police the legal power to bring the person to court.