What Is BNSS Section 30?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 30: Powers of Superior Officers of Police

Police officers superior in rank to an officer in charge of a police station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such officer within the limits of his station.

Brief Detail

Section 30 grants police officers of higher rank the authority to exercise the same powers as the officer in charge of a police station, but within the entire local area they are assigned to, rather than being limited to the specific jurisdiction of the police station.

Q1: Who Can Exercise Powers Within a Police Station's Local Area?

A: Police officers who are superior in rank to the officer in charge of a police station can exercise those powers throughout the local area.

Q2: Are the Powers of Superior Officers Limited?

A: No, the powers of superior officers are not limited; they can exercise the same powers as the officer in charge within the entire local area they are appointed to.

Example

• Example 1: A Superintendent of Police can conduct investigations or make arrests anywhere in the district, similar to the officer in charge of a specific police station.
• Example 2: If a Senior Inspector is assigned to a local area, he can take actions like patrolling and arresting suspects throughout that area, not just in his specific police station jurisdiction.

Summary

Section 30 ensures that police officers of superior rank have the authority to perform their duties across a wider area, maintaining effective law enforcement and oversight beyond the limits of individual police stations.