Power to declare certain publications forfeited and to issue search-warrants for same.
What this section does
Where any newspaper, book, or document appears to the State Government to contain matter punishable under specified sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the State Government may by notification declare every copy forfeited to Government, whereupon any police officer may seize such copies anywhere in India and any Magistrate may by warrant authorise a police officer not below sub-inspector rank to search premises for such copies. Orders under this section can only be challenged in accordance with section 99.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- State Government · Police officer · Magistrate
- Time limit
- None specified
Derived from CrPC s.95.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 98, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 98 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.