Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XI: Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquillity · B.—Public nuisances
Section 157: Procedure where person against whom order is made under section 152 appears to show-cause
In plain words
If the person appears and shows cause, the Magistrate takes evidence as in a summons-case. If the order, as made or modified, is reasonable and proper, it is made final. If not, the case ends.
- The proceedings should be completed within ninety days, extendable for recorded reasons to one hundred and twenty days.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
(1) If the person against whom an order under section 152 is made appears and shows cause against the order, the Magistrate shall take evidence in the matter as in a summons-case.
(2) If the Magistrate is satisfied that the order, either as originally made or subject to such modification as he considers necessary, is reasonable and proper, the order shall be made absolute without modification or, as the case may be, with such modification.
(3) If the Magistrate is not so satisfied, no further proceedings shall be taken in the case:
Provided that the proceedings under this section shall be completed, as soon as possible, within a period of ninety days, which may be extended for the reasons to be recorded in writing, to one hundred and twenty days.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 12 September 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 157
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.