The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the successor to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), provides for preventive measures to avert potential breaches of peace and maintain public order.

These security proceedings, under Chapter IX of the BNSS, involve requiring a person to show cause for why they should not be directed to execute a bond to keep the peace or maintain good behaviour. A bond is an undertaking for release , stating that the accused will abide by the conditions set by the court. The term includes both bonds and bail bonds — while the former is an undertaking without a surety, the latter is an undertaking with surety (more on what sureties are later) .

There are two broad categories of security proceedings under the BNSS.

Under Section 126 , security proceedings can be initiated against any person who is likely to breach the peace, disturb public tranquility or commit a wrongful act, or cause such a disturbance.

Under Sections 127, 128 and 129 , such measures can be taken to…