Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
Bare Act
Section 1
Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973.
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir :
Provided that the provisions of this Code, other than those relating to
Chapters VIII, X and XI thereof, shall not apply-
(a)to the State of Nagaland ,
(b)to the tribal areas, but the concerned
State Government may, by notification, apply such provisions or any of them to
the whole or part of the State of Nagaland or such tribal areas,
as the case may be, with such supplemental, incidental or consequential
modifications, as may be specified in the notification.
Explanation.-In this section, "tribal areas">means the
territories which immediately before the 21st day of January, 1972, were
included in the tribal areas of Assam , as referred to in
paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, other than those within
the local limits of the municipality of
Shillong .
(3) It shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 1974.
Section 2
Definitions.
In this Code, unless the context otherwise
requires, -
(a)"bailable offence" means an offence which is shown as bailable in
the First Schedule, or which is made bailable by any other law for the time
being in force; and "non-bailable offence" means any other offence;
(b)"charge" includes any head of charge when the charge contains more
heads than one;
(c)"cognizable offence" means an offence for which, and
"cognizable case" means a case in which, a police officer may, in
accordance with the First Schedule or under any other law for the time being in
force, arrest without warrant;
(d)"complaint" means any allegation made orally or in writing to a
Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under this Code, that some person,
whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but does not include a
police report.
Explanation.-A report made by a police officer in a case which
discloses, after investigation, the commission of a non-cognizable offence
shall be deemed to be a complaint; and the police officer by whom such report
is made shall be deemed to be the complainant;
(e)"High Court" means, -
(i) in relation to any State, the High Court for that State;
(ii) in relation to a Union territory to which
the jurisdiction of the High Court for a State has been extended by law, that
High Court;
(iii) in relation to any other Union territory, the highest Court of criminal
appeal for that territory other than the Supreme Court of India ;
(f)"Indian"means the territories to which this Code extends;
(g)"inquiry"means every inquiry, other than a trial, conducted under
this Code by a Magistrate or Court;
(h)"investigation" includes all the
proceedings under this Code for the collection of evidence conducted by a
police officer or by any person (other than a Magistrate) who is authorized by
a Magistrate in this behalf;
(i)"judicial proceeding"includes any proceeding in the course of
which evidence is or may be legally taken on oath;
(j)"local jurisdiction", in relation to a Court or Magistrate, means
the local area within which the Court or Magistrate may exercise all or any of
its or his powers under this Code;
(k)"metropolitan area" means the area declared, or deemed to be
declared, under section 8, to be a metropolitan area;
(l)"non-cognizable offence" means an offence for which, and
"non-cognizable case" means a case in which, a police officer has no
authority to arrest without warrant;
(m)"notification"means a notification published in the Official
Gazette;
(n)"offence" means any act or omission made punishable by any law for
the time being in force and includes any act in respect of which a complaint
may be made under section 20 of the Cattle-trespass Act, 1871( 1 of 1871);
(o)"officer in charge of a police station">includes, when the officer
in charge of the police station is absent from the station-house or unable from
illness or other cause to perform his duties, the police officer present at the
station-house who is next in rank to such officer and is above the rank of
constable or, when the State Government so directs, any other police officer so
present;
(p)"place"includes a house,
building, tent, vehicle and vessel;
(q)"pleader", when used with reference to any proceeding in any
Court, means a person authorized by or under any law for the time being in
force, to practice in such Court, and includes any other person appointed with
the permission of the Court to act in such proceeding;
(r) "police report"means a report forwarded by a police officer
to a Magistrate under sub-section (2) of section 173;
(s)"police report"means a report forwarded by a police officer or
specially by the State Government, to be a police station, and includes any
local area specified by the State Government in this behalf;
(t)"prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Code;
(u)"Public Prosecutor"means any person appointed under section 24,
and includes any person acting under the directions of a Public Prosecutor;
(v)"sub-division"means a sub-division of a district;
(w)"summons-case"means a case relating to an offence, and not being
a warrant-case;
(x)"warrant-case"means a case relating to an offence punishable with
death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years;
(y)words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Indian
Penal Code (45 of 1860) have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that
Code.
Section 3
Construction of references.
(1) In this Code, -
(a) any reference, without any qualifying words, to a Magistrate, shall be
construed, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(i)in relation to an area outside a metropolitan area, as a reference to a
Judicial Magistrate;
(ii)in relation to a metropolitan area, as a reference to a Metropolitan
Magistrate;
(b) any reference to a Magistrate of the second class shall, in relation to an
area outside a metropolitan area, be construed as a reference to a Judicial
Magistrate of the second class, and, in relation to a metropolitan area, as a
reference to a Metropolitan Magistrate;
(c) any reference to a Magistrate of the first class shall, -
(i)in relation to a metropolitan area, be construed as a reference to a
Metropolitan Magistrate exercising jurisdiction in that area,
(ii)in relation to any other area, be construed as a reference to a Judicial
Magistrate of the first class exercising jurisdiction in that area;
(d) any reference to the Chief Judicial Magistrate shall, in relation to a metropolitan
area, be construed as a reference to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
exercising jurisdiction in that area.
(2) In this Code, unless the context otherwise
requires, any reference to the Court of a Judicial Magistrate shall, in
relation to a metropolitan area, be construed as a reference to the Court of
the Metropolitan Magistrate for that area.
(3) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in any enactment
passed before the commencement of this Code, -
(a) to a Magistrate of the first class, shall be construed as a reference to a
Judicial Magistrate of the first class;
(b) to a Magistrate of the second class or of the third class, shall be
construed as a reference to a Judicial Magistrate of the second class;
(c) to a Presidency Magistrate or Chief Presidency Magistrate, shall be
construed as a reference, respectively, to a Metropolitan Magistrate or the
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate;
(d) to any area which is included in a metropolitan area, as a reference to
such metropolitan area, and any reference to a Magistrate of the first class or
of the second class in relation to such area, shall be construed as reference
to the Metropolitan Magistrate exercising jurisdiction in such area.
(4) Where, under any law, other than this
Code, the function exercisable by a Magistrate relate to matters-
(a) which involve the appreciation or sifting of evidence or the formulation of
any decision which exposes any person to any punishment or penalty or detention
in custody pending investigation, inquiry or trial or would have the effect of
sending him for trial before any Court, they shall, subject to the provisions
of this Code, be exercisable by a Judicial Magistrate; or
(b) which are
administrative or executive in nature, such as, the granting of a license, the
suspension or cancellation of a license, sanctioning a prosecution or
withdrawing from a prosecution, they shall, subject as aforesaid, be exercisable
by an Executive Magistrate.
Section 4
Trial of offences under the Indian Penal
Code and other laws.-
(1) All offences under the Indian Penal
Code(45 of 1860) shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise
dealt with according to the provisions hereinafter contained.
(2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into,
tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, but subject
to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of
investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with such offences.
Section 5
Saving
Nothing contained in this Code shall, in the
absence of a specific provision to the contrary, affect any special or local
law for the time being in force, or any special jurisdiction or power
conferred, or any special form of procedure prescribed, by any other law for
the time being in force.
Section 6
Classes of Criminal Courts.
Besides the High Courts and the Courts
constituted under any law, other than this Code, there shall be, in every
State, the following classes of Criminal Courts, namely:-
(i) Courts of Session;
(ii) Judicial Magistrates of the first class and, in any metropolitan area,
Metropolitan Magistrates;
(iii) Judicial Magistrates of the second class; and
(iv) Executive Magistrates.
Section 7
Territorial divisions.
(1) Every State shall be a sessions division
or shall consist of sessions divisions; and every sessions division shall, for
the purposes of this Code, be a district or consist of districts:
Provided that every metropolitan area shall, for the said purposes, be a
separate sessions division and district.
(2) The State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, alter the
limits or the number of such divisions and districts.
(3) The State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, divide
any district into sub-divisions and may alter the limits or the number of such
sub-divisions.
(4) The sessions divisions, districts and sub-divisions existing in a State at
the commencement of this Code, shall be deemed to have been formed under this
section.
Section 8
Metropolitan areas.
(1) The State Government may, by notification,
declare that , as from such date as may be specified in the notification, any
area in the State comprising a city or town whose population exceeds one
million shall be a metropolitan area for the purposes of this Code.
(2) As from the commencement of this Code, each of the Presidency-towns of
Bombay , Calcutta and Madras and the city of
Ahmedabad shall be deemed to be
declared under sub-section (1) to be a metropolitan area.
(3) The State Government may, by notification, extend, reduce or alter the
limits of a metropolitan area but the reduction or alteration shall not be so
made as to reduce the population of such area to less than one million.
(4) Where, after an area has been declared, or deemed to have been declared to
be, a metropolitan area, the population of such area falls below one million,
such area shall, on and from such date as the State Government may, by
notification, specify in this behalf, cease to be a metropolitan area; but
notwithstanding such cesser, any inquiry, trial or appeal pending immediately
before such cesser before any Court or Magistrate in such area shall continue
to be dealt with under this Code, as if such cesser had not taken place.
(5) Where the State Government reduces or alters, under sub-section (3), the
limits of any metropolitan area, such reduction or alteration shall not affect
any inquiry, trial or appeal pending immediately before such reduction or alteration
before any Court or Magistrate, and every such inquiry, trial or appeal shall
continue to be dealt with under this Code as if such reduction or alteration
had not taken place.
Explanation.-In this section, the expression "population"
means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the
relevant figures have been published.
Section 9
Court of Session.
(1)The State Government shall establish a
Court of Session for every sessions division.
(2) Every Court of Session shall be presided over by a Judge, to be appointed
by the High Court.
(3) The High Court may also appoint Additional Sessions Judges and Assistant
Sessions Judges to exercise jurisdiction in a Court of Session.
(4) The Sessions Judge of one sessions division may be appointed by the High
Court to be also an Additional Sessions Judge of another division, and in such
case he may sit for the disposal of cases at such place or places in the other
division as the High Court may direct.
(5) Where the office of the Sessions Judge is vacant, the High Court may make
arrangements for the disposal of any urgent application which is, or may be,
made or pending before such Court of Session by an Additional or Assistant
Sessions Judge, or, if there be no Additional or Assistant Sessions Judge, by a
Chief Judicial Magistrate, in the sessions division; and every such Judge or
Magistrate shall have jurisdiction to deal with any such application.
(6) The Court of Session shall ordinarily hold its sitting at such place or
places as the High Court may, by notification, specify; but, if, in any
particular case, the Court of Session is of opinion that it will tend to the
general convenience of the parties and witnesses to hold its sittings at any
other place in the sessions division, it may, with the consent of the
prosecution and the accused, sit at that place for the disposal of the case or
the examination of any witness or witnesses therein.
Explanation.-For the purposes of this Code, "appointment"
does not include the first appointment, posting or promotion of a person by the
Government to any Service, or post in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State, where
under any law, such appointment, posting or promotion is required to be made by
Government.
Section 10
Subordination of Assistant Sessions Judges.
(1) All Assistant Sessions Judges shall be
subordinate to the Sessions Judge in whose Court they exercise jurisdiction.
(2) The Sessions Judge may, from time to time, make rules consistent with this
Code, as to the distribution of business among such Assistant Sessions Judges.
(3) The Sessions Judge may also make provision for the disposal of any urgent
application, in the event of his absence or inability to act, by an Additional
or Assistant Sessions Judge, or, if there be no Additional or Assistant
Sessions Judge, by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and every such Judge or
Magistrate shall be deemed to have jurisdiction to deal with any such
application.
Section 11
Courts of Judicial Magistrates.
(1) In every district (not being a
metropolitan area), there shall be established as many Courts of Judicial
Magistrates of the first class and of the second class, and at such places, as
the State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, by
notification, specify.
(2) The presiding officers of such Courts shall be appointed by the High Court.
(3) The High Court may, whenever it appears to it to be expedient or necessary,
confer the powers of a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or of the second
class on any member of the Judicial Service of the State, functioning as a
Judge in a Civil Court .
Section 12
Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, etc.
(1) In every district (not being a
metropolitan area), the High Court shall appoint a Judicial Magistrate of the
first class to be the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(2) The High Court may appoint any Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be
an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have all or
any of the powers of a Chief Judicial Magistrate under this Code or under any
other law for the time being in force as the High Court may direct.
(3) (a) The High Court may designate any Judicial Magistrate of the first class
in any sub-division as the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate and relieve him
of the responsibilities specified in this section as occasion requires.
(b) Subject to the general control of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, every
Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate shall also have and exercise, such powers of
supervision and control over the work of the Judicial Magistrates (other than
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates) in the sub-division as the High Court
may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.
Section 13
Special Judicial Magistrates.
(1) The High Court may, if requested by the
Central or State Government so to do, confer upon any person who holds or has
held any post under the Government, all or any of the powers conferred or
conferrable by or under this Code on a Judicial Magistrate of the second class,
in respect to particular cases or to particular classes of cases or to cases
generally, in any district, not being a metropolitan area:
Provided that no such power shall be conferred on a person unless he
possesses such qualification or experience in relation to legal affairs as the
High Court may, by rules, specify.
(2) Such Magistrates shall be called Special Judicial Magistrates and shall be
appointed for such term, not exceeding one year at a time, as the High Court
may, by general or special order, direct.
Section 14
Local jurisdiction of Judicial Magistrates.
(1) Subject to the control of the High Court,
the Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, define the local limits
of the areas within which the Magistrates appointed under section 11 or under
section 13 may exercise all or any of the powers with which they may
respectively be invested under this Code.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by such definition, the jurisdiction and
powers of every such Magistrate shall extend throughout the district.
Section 15
Subordination of Judicial Magistrates.
(1) Every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be
subordinate to the Sessions Judge; and every other Judicial Magistrate shall,
subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the
Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give
special orders, consistent with this Code, as to the distribution of business
among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to him.
Section 16
Courts of Metropolitan Magistrates.
(1) In every metropolitan area, there shall be
established as many Courts of Metropolitan Magistrates, and at such places, as
the State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, by
notification, specify.
(2) The presiding officers of such Courts shall be appointed by the High Court.
(3) The jurisdiction and powers of every Metropolitan Magistrate shall extend
throughout the metropolitan area.
Section 17
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates.
(1) The High Court shall, in relation to every
metropolitan area within its local jurisdiction, appoint a Metropolitan
Magistrate to be the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate for such metropolitan area.
(2) The High Court may appoint any Metropolitan Magistrate to be an Additional
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have all or any of the
powers of a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate under this Code or under any other
law for the time being in force as the High Court may direct.
Section 18
Special Metropolitan Magistrates.
(1) The High Court may, if requested by the
Central or State Government so to do, confer upon any person who holds or has
held any post under the Government, all or any of the powers conferred or
conferrable by or under this Code on a Metropolitan Magistrate, in respect to
particular cases or to particular classes of cases or to cases generally, in
any metropolitan area within its local jurisdiction:
Provided that no such power shall be conferred on a person unless he possesses
such qualification or experience in relation to legal affairs as the High Court
may, by rules, specify.
(2) Such Magistrates shall be called Special Metropolitan Magistrates and shall
be appointed for such term, not exceeding one year at a time, as the High Court
may, by general or special order, direct.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Code, a Special
Metropolitan Magistrate shall not impose a sentence which a Judicial Magistrate
of the second class is not competent to impose outside the Metropolitan area.
Section 19
Subordination of Metropolitan Magistrates.
(1) The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and
every Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate shall be subordinate to the
Sessions Judge; and every other Metropolitan Magistrate shall, subject to the
general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate.
(2) The High Court may, for the purposes of this Code, define the extent of the
subordination, if any, of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates to the
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.
(3) The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or
give special orders, consistent with this Code, as to the distribution of
business among the Metropolitan Magistrates and as to the allocation of
business to an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.
Section 20
Executive Magistrates.
(1) In every district and in every
metropolitan area, the State Government may appoint as many persons as it
thinks fit to be Executive Magistrates and shall appoint one of them to be the
District Magistrate.
(2) The State Government may appoint any Executive Magistrate to be an
Additional district Magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have all or any of
the powers of a District Magistrate under this Code or under any other law for
the time being in force.
(3) Whenever, in consequence of the office of a District Magistrate becoming
vacant, any officer succeeds temporarily to the executive administration of the
district, such officer shall, pending the orders of the State Government,
exercise all the powers and perform all the duties respectively conferred and
imposed by this Code on the District Magistrate.
(4) The State Government may place an Executive Magistrate in charge of a
sub-division and may relieve him of the charge as occasion requires; and the
Magistrate so placed in charge of a sub-division shall be called the
Sub-divisional Magistrate.
(5) Nothing in this section shall preclude the State Government from
conferring, under any law for the time being in force, on a Commissioner of
Police, all or any of the powers of an Executive Magistrate in relation to a
metropolitan area.
Section 21
Special Executive Magistrates.
The State Government may appoint, for such
term as it may think fit, Executive Magistrates, to be known as Special
Executive Magistrates for particular areas or for the performance of particular
functions and confer on such Special Executive Magistrates such of the powers
as are conferrable under this Code on Executive Magistrates, as it may deem
fit.
Section 22
Local jurisdiction of Executive Magistrates.
(1) Subject to the control of the State
Government, the District Magistrate may, from time to time, define the local
limits of the areas within which the Executive Magistrates may exercise all or
any of the powers with which they may be invested under this Code.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by such definition, the jurisdiction and
powers of every such Magistrate shall extend throughout the district.
Section 23
Subordination of Executive Magistrates.
(1) All Executive Magistrates, other than the
Additional District Magistrate, shall be subordinate to the District
Magistrate, and every Executive Magistrate (other than the Sub-divisional
Magistrate) exercising powers in a sub-division shall also be subordinate to
the Sub-divisional Magistrate, subject, however, to the general control of the
District Magistrate.
(2) The District Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special
orders, consistent with this Code, as to the distribution of business among the
Executive Magistrates subordinate to him and as to the allocation of business
to an Additional District Magistrate.
Section 24
Public Prosecutors.
(1)For every High Court, the Central
Government or the State Government shall, after consultation with the High
Court, appoint a Public Prosecutor for conducting, in such Court, any
prosecution, appeal or other proceeding on behalf of the Central or State
Government, as the case may be.
(2) For every district the State Government shall appoint a Public Prosecutor
and may also appoint one or more Additional Public Prosecutors for the
district.
(3) The District Magistrate shall, in consultation with the Sessions Judge,
prepare a panel of names of persons who are, in his opinion, fit to be
appointed as the Public Prosecutor or Additional Public Prosecutor for the
district.
(4) No person shall be appointed by the State Government as the Public
Prosecutor or Additional Public Prosecutor for the district unless his name
appears on the panel of names prepared by the District Magistrate under
sub-section (3).
(5) A person shall only be eligible to be appointed as a Public Prosecutor or
an Additional Public Prosecutor under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), if he
has been in practice as an advocate for not less than seven years.
(6) The Central Government or the State Government may appoint, for the
purposes of any case or class of cases, an advocate who has been in practice
for not less than ten years, as a Special Public Prosecutor.
Section 25
Assistant Public Prosecutors.
(1) The State Government shall appoint in
every district one or more Assistant Public Prosecutors for conducting
prosecutions in the Courts of Magistrates.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (3), no police officer shall be
eligible to be appointed as an Assistant Public Prosecutor.
(3) Where no Assistant Public Prosecutor is available for the purposes of any
particular case, the District Magistrate may appoint any other person to be the
Assistant Public Prosecutor in charge of that case:
Provided that a police officer shall not be so appointed-
(a) if he has taken any part in the
investigation into the offence with respect to which the accused is being
prosecuted; or
(b) if he is below the rank of Inspector.
Section 26
Courts by which offences are triable.
Subject to the other provisions of this Code.-
(a) any offence under the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) may be tried by -
(i) the High Court, or
(ii) the Court of
Session, or
(iii) any other Court by which such offence is shown in the First Schedule to
be triable;
(b) any offence under any other law shall,
when any Court is mentioned in this behalf in such law, be tried by such Court
and when no Court is so mentioned, may be tried by-
(i) the High Court, or
(ii) any other Court by which such offence is shown in the First Schedule to be
triable.
Section 27
Jurisdiction in the case of juveniles.
Any offence not punishable with death or
imprisonment for life, committed by any person who at the date when he appears
or is brought before the Court is under the age of sixteen years, may be tried
by the Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate, or by any Court specially
empowered under the Children Act, 1960,(60 of 1960) or any other law for the
time being in force providing for the treatment, training and rehabilitation of
youthful offenders.
Section 28
Sentences which High Courts and Sessions Judges may pass.
(1) A High Court may pass any sentence
authorized by law.
(2) A Sessions Judge or Additional Sessions
Judge may pass any sentence authorized by law; but any sentence of death passed
by any such Judge shall be subject to confirmation by the High Court.
(3) An Assistant Sessions Judge may pass any sentence authorized by law except
a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term
exceeding ten years.
Section 29
Sentences which Magistrates may pass.
(1) The Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate
may pass any sentence authorized by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment
for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years.
(2) The Court of a Magistrate of the first class may pass a sentence of
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or of fine not exceeding
five thousand rupees, or of both.
(3) The Court of a Magistrate of the second class may pass a sentence of
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or of fine not exceeding one
thousand rupees, or of both.
(3) The Court of a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate shall have the powers of the
Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate and that of a Metropolitan Magistrate, the
powers of the Court of a Magistrate of the first class.
Section 30
Sentence of imprisonment in default of fine.
(1) The Court of a Magistrate may award such
term of imprisonment in default of payment of fine as is authorized by law:
Provided that the term-
(a) is not in excess of the powers of the
Magistrate under section 29;
(b) shall not, where imprisonment has been
awarded as part of the substantive sentence, exceed one-fourth of the term of
imprisonment which the Magistrate is competent to inflict as punishment for the
offence otherwise than as imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.
(2) The imprisonment awarded under this section may be in addition to a substantive
sentence of imprisonment for the maximum term awardable by the Magistrate under
section 29.
Section 31
Sentence in cases of conviction of several offences at one trial.
(1) When a person is convicted at one trial of
two or more offences, the Court may, subject to the provisions of section 71 of
the Indian Penal Code,(45 of 1860) sentence him for such offences, to the
several punishments prescribed therefor which such Court is competent to
inflict; such punishments when consisting of imprisonment to commence the one
after the expiration of the other in such order as the Court may direct, unless
the Court directs that such punishments shall run concurrently.
(2) In the case of consecutive sentences, it shall not be necessary for the
Court by reason only of the aggregate punishment for the several offences being
in excess of the punishment which it is competent to inflict on conviction of a
single offence, to send the offender for trial before a higher Court:
Provided that-
(a) in no case shall such person be sentenced
to imprisonment for a longer period than fourteen years;
(b) the aggregate punishment shall not exceed
twice the amount of punishment which the Court is competent to inflict for a
single offence.
(3) For the purpose of appeal by a convicted person, the aggregate of the
consecutive sentences passed against him under this section shall be deemed to
be a single sentence.
Section 32
Mode of conferring powers.
(1) In conferring powers under this Code, the
High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, may, by order, empower
persons specially by name or in virtue of their offices or classes of officials
generally by their official titles.
(2) Every such order shall take effect from the date on which it is
communicated to the person so empowered.
Section 33
Powers of officers appointed.
Whenever any person holding an office in the
service of Government who has been invested by the High Court or the State
Government with any powers under this Code throughout any local area is
appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature, within a like local
area under the same State Government, he shall, unless the High Court or the
State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise
directed, exercise the same powers in the local area in which he is so
appointed.
Section 34
Withdrawal of powers.
(1) The High Court or the State Government, as
the case may be, may withdraw all or any of the powers conferred by it under
this Code on any person or by any officer subordinate to it.
(2) Any powers conferred by the Chief Judicial
Magistrate or by the District Magistrate may be withdrawn by the respective
Magistrate by whom such powers were conferred.
Section 35
Powers of Judges and Magistrates exercisable by their
successors-in-office.-
(1) Subject to the other provisions of this
Code, the powers and duties of a Judge or Magistrate may be exercised or
performed by his successor-in-office.
(2) When there is any doubt as to who is the successor-in-office of any
Additional or Assistant Sessions Judge, the Sessions Judge shall determine by
order in writing the Judge who shall, for the purposes of this Code or of any
proceedings or order thereunder, be deemed to be the successor-in-office of
such Additional or Assistant Sessions Judge.
(3) When there is any doubt as to who is the successor-in-office of any
Magistrate, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, or the District Magistrate, as the
case may be, shall determine by order in writing the Magistrate who shall, for
the purpose of this Code or of any proceedings or order thereunder, be deemed
to be the successor-in-office of such Magistrate.
Section 36
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.
Section 37
Public when to assist Magistrates and police.
Every person is bound to assist a Magistrate
or police officer reasonably demanding his aid-
(a) in the taking or preventing the escape of
any other person whom such Magistrate or police officer is authorized to
arrest; or
(b) in the prevention or suppression of a
breach of the peace; or
(c) in the prevention of any injury attempted
to be committed to any railway, canal, telegraph or public property.
Section 38
Aid to person, other than police officer,
executing warrant.-
When a warrant is directed to a person other
than a police officer, any other person may aid in the execution of such
warrant, if the person to whom the warrant is directed be near at hand and
acting in the execution of the warrant.
Section 39
Public to give information of certain offences.
(1) Every person, aware of the commission of ,
or of the intention of any other person to commit, any offence punishable under
any of the following sections of the Indian Penal Code,(45 of 1860) namely:-
(i) sections 121 to
126, both inclusive, and section 130 (that is to say, offences against the
State specified in Chapter VI of the said Code);
(ii) sections 143, 144, 145, 147 and 148 (that is to say, offences against the
public tranquility specified in Chapter VIII of the said Code);
(iii) sections 161 to 165A, both inclusive (that is to say, offences relating
to illegal gratification);
(iv) sections 272 to 278, both inclusive (that is to say, offences relating to
adulteration of food and drugs, etc.);
(v) sections 302, 303 and 304 (that is to say, offences affecting life);
(vi) section 382 (that is to say, offence of theft after preparation made for
causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft);
(vii) sections 392 to 399, both inclusive, and section 402 (that is to say,
offences of robbery and dacoity);
(viii) section 409 (that is to say, offence relating to criminal breach of
trust by public servant, etc.);
(ix) sections 431 to 439, both inclusive (that is to say, offences of mischief
against property);
(x) sections 449 and 450 (that is to say, offence of house-trespass);
(xi) sections 456 to 460, both inclusive (that is to say, offences of lurking
house-trespass); and
(xii) sections 489A to 489E, both inclusive (that is to say, offences relating
to currency notes and bank notes),shall, in the absence of any reasonable
excuse, the burden of proving which excuse shall lie upon the person so aware,
forthwith give information to the nearest Magistrate or police officer of such
commission or intention.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the term
"offence">includes any act committed at any place out of India which would
constitute an offence if committed in India .
Section 40
Duty of officers employed in connection with the affairs of a village to
make certain report.-
(1) Every officer employed in connection with
the affairs of a village and every person residing in a village shall forthwith
communicate to the nearest Magistrate or to the officer in charge of the
nearest police station, whichever is nearer, any information which he may
possess respecting-
(a) the permanent or temporary residence of any notorious receiver or vendor of
stolen property in or near such village;
(b) the resort to any
place within, or the passage through, such village of any person whom he knows,
or reasonably suspects, to be a thug, robber, escaped convict or proclaimed
offender;
(c) the commission of, or intention to commit, in or near such village any
non-bailable offence or any offence punishable under section 143, section 144, section
145, section 147, or section 148 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860);
(d) the occurrence in or near such village of any sudden or unnatural death or
of any death under suspicious circumstances or the discovery in or near such
village of any corpse or part of a corpse, in circumstances which lead to a
reasonable suspicion that such a death has occurred or the disappearance from
such village of any person in circumstances which lead to a reasonable
suspicion that a non-bailable offence has been committed in respect of such
person;
(e) the commission of, or intention to commit, at any place out of India near
such village any act which, if committed in India, would be an offence
punishable under any of the following sections of the Indian Penal Code,(45 of
1860) namely, 231 to 238 (both inclusive), 302, 304, 382, 392 to 399 (both
inclusive), 402, 435, 436, 449, 450, 457 to 460 (both inclusive), 489A, 489B,
489C and 489D;
(f) any matter likely to affect the maintenance of order or the prevention of
crime or the safety of person or property respecting which the District
Magistrate, by general or special order made with the previous sanction of the
State Government, has directed him to communicate information.
(2) In this section, -
(i) "village" includes village-lands;
(ii) the expression "proclaimed offender" includes any person
proclaimed as an offender by any Court or authority in any territory in India
to which this Code does not extend, in respect of any act which if committed in
the territories to which this Code extends, would be an offence punishable
under any of the following sections of the Indian Penal Code,(45 of 1860)
namely, 302, 304, 382, 392 to 399 (both inclusive), 402, 435, 436, 449, 450 and
457 to 460 (both inclusive);
(iii) the words "officer employed in connection with the affairs of the
village">means a member of the panchayat of the village and includes the
headman and every officer or other person appointed to perform any function
connected with the administration of the village.
Section 41
When police may arrest without warrant.
(1) Any police officer may without an order
from a Magistrate and without a warrant, arrest any person-
(a) who has been concerned in any cognizable offence, or against whom a
reasonable complaint has been made, or credible information has been received,
or a reasonable suspicion exists, of his having been so concerned; or
(b) who has in his possession without lawful excuse, the burden of proving
which excuse shall lie on such person, any implement of house-breaking; or
(c) who has been proclaimed as an offender either under this Code or by order
of the State Government; or
(d) in whose possession anything is found which may reasonably be suspected to
be stolen property and who may reasonably be suspected of having committed an
offence with reference to such thing; or
(e) who obstructs a police officer while in the execution of his duty, or who
has escaped, or attempts to escape, from lawful custody; or
(f) who is reasonably suspected of being a deserter from any of the Armed
Forces of the Union ; or
(g) who has been concerned in, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been
made, or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion
exists, of his having been concerned in, any act committed at any place out of
India which, if committed in India, would have been punishable as an offence,
and for which he is, under any law relating to extradition, or otherwise,
liable to be apprehended or detained in custody in India; or
(h) who, being a released convict, commits a breach of any rule made under
sub-section (5) of section 356; or
(I) for whose arrest any requisition, whether written or oral, has been
received from another police officer, provided that the requisition specifies
the person to be arrested and the offence or other cause for which the arrest
is to be made and it appears there from that the person might lawfully be
arrested without a warrant by the officer who issued the requisition.
(2) Any officer in charge of a police station
may, in like manner, arrest or cause to be arrested any person, belonging to
one or more of the categories of persons specified in section 109 or section
110.
Section 42
Arrest on refusal to give name and
residence.-
(1) When any person who, in the presence of a
police officer, has committed or has been accused of committing a
non-cognizable offence refuses, on demand of such officer, to give his name and
residence or gives a name or residence which such officer has reason to believe
to be false, he may be arrested by such officer in order that his name or
residence may be ascertained.
(2) When the true name and residence of such person have been ascertained, he
shall be released on his executing a bond, with or without sureties, to appear
before a Magistrate if so required:
Provided that, if such person is not resident in India , the bond shall be
secured by a surety or sureties resident in India .
(4) (3) Should the true name and residence of such person not be ascertained
within twenty-four hours from the time of arrest or should he fail to execute
the bond, or, if so required, to furnish sufficient sureties, he shall
forthwith be forwarded to the nearest Magistrate having jurisdiction.
Section 43
Arrest by Private person and procedure on such arrest.
(1) Any private person may arrest or cause to
be arrested any person who in his presence commits a non-bailable and
cognizable offence, or any proclaimed offender, and, without unnecessary delay,
shall make over or cause to be made over any person so arrested to a police
officer, or, in the absence of a police officer, take such person or cause him
to be taken in custody to the nearest police station.
(2) If there is reason to believe that such person comes under the provisions
of section 41, a police officer shall re-arrest him.
(3) If there is reason to believe that he has committed a non-cognizable
offence, and he refuses on the demand of a police officer to give his name and
residence, or gives a name or residence which such officer has reason to
believe to be false, he shall be dealt with under the provisions of section 42;
but if there is no sufficient reason to believe that he has committed any
offence, he shall be at once released.
Section 44
Arrest by Magistrate.
(1) When any offence is committed in the
presence of a Magistrate, whether Executive or Judicial, within his local
jurisdiction, he may himself arrest or order any person to arrest the offender,
and may thereupon, subject to the provisions herein contained as to bail, commit
the offender to custody.
(2) Any Magistrate, whether Executive or Judicial, may at any time arrest or
direct the arrest, in his presence, within his local jurisdiction, of any
person for whose arrest he is competent at the time and in the circumstances to
issue a warrant.
Section 45
Protection of members of the Armed Forces from arrest.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in
sections 41 to 44 (both inclusive), no member of the Armed Forces of the Union
shall be arrested for anything done or purported to be done by him in the
discharge of his official duties except after obtaining the consent of the
Central Government.
(2) The State Government may, by notification, direct that the provisions of
sub-section (1) shall apply to such class or category of the members of the
Force charged with the maintenance of public order as may be specified therein,
wherever they may be serving, and thereupon the provisions of that sub-section
shall apply as if for the expression "Central Government">occurring
therein, the expression "State Government">were substituted.
Section 46
Arrest how made.
(1) In making an arrest the police officer or
other person making the same shall actually touch or confine the body of the
person to be arrested, unless there be a submission to the custody by word or
action.
(2) If such person forcibly resists the endeavor to arrest him, or attempts to
evade the arrest, such police officer or other person may use all means
necessary to effect the arrest.
(3) Nothing in this section gives a right to cause the death of a person who is
not accused of an offence punishable with death or with imprisonment for life.
Section 47
Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested.
(1) If any person acting under a warrant of
arrest, or any police officer having authority to arrest, has reason to believe
that the person to be arrested has entered into, or is within, any place, any
person residing in, or being in charge of, such place shall, on demand of such
person acting as aforesaid or such police officer, allow him free ingress
thereto, and afford all reasonable facilities for a search therein.
(2) If ingress to such place cannot be obtained under sub-section (1), it shall
be lawful in any case for a person acting under a warrant and in any case in
which a warrant may issue, but cannot be obtained without affording the person
to be arrested an opportunity of escape, for a police officer to enter such
place and search therein, and in order to effect an entrance into such place,
to break open any outer or inner door or window of any house or place, whether
that of the person to be arrested or of any other person, if after notification
of his authority and purpose, and demand of admittance duly made, he cannot
otherwise obtain admittance;
Provided that, if any such place is an apartment in the actual occupancy
of a female (not being the person to be arrested) who, according to custom,
does not appear in public, such person or police officer shall, before entering
such apartment, give notice to such female that she is at liberty to withdraw
and shall afford her every reasonable facility for withdrawing, and may then
break open the apartment and enter it.
(3) Any police officer or other person authorized to make an arrest may break
open any outer or inner door or window of any house or place in order to
liberate himself or any other person who, having lawfully entered for the
purpose of making an arrest, is detained therein.
Section 48
Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions.
A police officer may, for the purpose of
arresting without warrant any person whom he is authorized to arrest, pursue
such person into any place in India .
Section 49
No unnecessary restraint.
The Person arrested shall not be subjected to
more restraint than is necessary to prevent his escape.
Section 50
Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and of right to
bail.-
(1) Every police officer or other person
arresting any person without warrant shall forthwith communicate to him full
particulars of the offence for which he is arrested or other grounds for such
arrest.
(2) Where a police officer arrests without warrant any person other than a
person accused of a non-bailable offence, he shall inform the person arrested
that he is entitled to be released on bail and that he may arrange for sureties
on his behalf.
Section 51
Search of arrested person.
(1) Whenever a person is arrested by a police
officer under a warrant which does not provide for the taking of bail, or under
a warrant which provides for the taking of bail but the person arrested cannot
furnish bail, and whenever a person is arrested without warrant, or by a
private person under a warrant, and cannot legally be admitted to bail, or is
unable to furnish bail, the officer making the arrest or, when the arrest is
made by a private person, the police officer to whom he makes over the person
arrested, may search such person, and place in safe custody all articles,
other, than necessary wearing-apparel, found upon him and where any article is
seized from the arrested person, a receipt showing the articles taken in
possession by the police officer shall be given to such person.
(2) Whenever it is necessary to cause a female to be searched, the search shall
be made by another female with strict regard to decency.
Section 52
Power to seize offensive weapons.
The officer or other person making any arrest
under this Code may take from the person arrested any offensive weapons which
he has about his person, and shall deliver all weapons so taken to the Court or
officer before which or whom the officer or person making the arrest is
required by this Code to produce the person arrested.
Section 53
Examination of accused by medical practitioner at the request of police
officer.-
(1) When a person is arrested on a charge of
committing an offence of such a nature and alleged to have been committed under
such circumstances that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an
examination of his person will afford evidence as to the commission of an
offence, it shall be lawful for a registered medical practitioner, acting at
the request of a police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector, and for
any person acting in good faith in his aid and under his direction, to make
such an examination of the person arrested as is reasonably necessary in order
to ascertain the facts which may afford such evidence, and to use such force as
is reasonably necessary for that purpose.
(2) Whenever the person of a female is to be examined under this section, the
examination shall be made only by, or under the supervision of, a female
registered medical practitioner.
Explanation.-In this section and in section 54, "registered
medical practitioner" means a medical practitioner who possesses any
recognized medical qualification as defined in clause (h) of section 2 of the
Indian Medical Council Act, 1956,(102 of 1956) and whose name has been entered
in a State Medical Register.
Section 54
Examination of arrested person by medical practitioner at the request of
the arrested person.-
When a person who is arrested, whether on a
charge or otherwise, alleges, at the time when he is produced before a
Magistrate or at any time during the period of his detention in custody that
the examination of his body will afford evidence which will disprove the
commission by him of any offence or which will establish the commission by any
other person of any offence against his body, the Magistrate shall, if
requested by the arrested person so to do direct the examination of the body of
such person by a registered medical practitioner unless the Magistrate
considers that the request is made for the purpose of vexation or delay or for
defeating the ends of justice.
Section 55
Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without
warrant.-
(1) When any officer in charge of a police
station or any police officer making an investigation under Chapter XII
requires any officer subordinate to him to arrest without a warrant (otherwise
than in his presence) any person who may lawfully be arrested without a
warrant, he shall deliver to the officer required to make the arrest an order
in writing, specifying the person to be arrested and the offence or other cause
for which the arrest is to be made and the officer so required shall, before
making the arrest, notify to the person to be arrested the substance of the
order and, if so required by such person, shall show him the order.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall affect the power of a police officer to
arrest a person under section 41.
Section 56
Person arrested to be taken before Magistrate or officer in charge of
police station.-
A police officer making an arrest without
warrant shall, without unnecessary delay and subject to the provisions herein
contained as to bail, take or send the person arrested before a Magistrate
having jurisdiction in the case, or before the officer in charge of a police
station.
Section 57
Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours.
No police officer shall detail in custody a
person arrested without warrant for a longer period than under all the
circumstances of the case is reasonable, and such period shall not, in the
absence of a special order of a Magistrate under section 167, exceed
twenty-four hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the
place of arrest to the Magistrate's Court.
Section 58
Police to report apprehensions.
Officers in charge of police stations shall
report to the District Magistrate, or, if he so directs, to the Sub-divisional
Magistrate, the cases of all persons arrested without warrant, within the
limits of their respective stations, whether such persons have been admitted to
bail or otherwise.
Section 59
Discharge of person apprehended.
No person who has been arrested by a police
officer shall be discharged except on his own bond, or on bail, or under the
special order of a Magistrate.
Section 60
Power, on escape, to pursue and retake.
(1) If a person in lawful custody escapes or
is rescued, the person from whose custody he escaped or was rescued may
immediately pursue and arrest him in any place in India .
(2) The provisions of section 47 shall apply to arrests under sub-section (1)
although the person making any such arrest is not acting under a warrant and is
not a police officer having authority to arrest.
Section 61
Form of summons.
Every summons issued by a Court under this
Code shall be in writing, in duplicate, signed by the presiding officer of such
Court or by such other officer as the High Court may, from time to time, by
rule direct, and shall bear the seal of the Court.
Section 62
Summons how served.
(1) Every summons shall be served by a police
officer, or subject to such rules as the State Government may make in this
behalf, by an officer of the Court issuing it or other public servant.
(2) The summons shall, if practicable, be served personally on the person
summoned, by delivering or tendering to him one of the duplicates of the
summons.
(3) Every person on whom a summons is so served shall, if so required by the
serving officer, sign a receipt therefor on the back of the other duplicate.
Section 63
Service of summons on corporate bodies and societies.
Service of a summons on a corporation may be
effected by serving it on the secretary, local manager or other principle
officer of the corporation, or by letter sent by registered post, addressed to
the chief officer of the corporation in India, in which case the service shall
be deemed to have been effected when the letter would arrive in ordinary course
of post.
Explanation.-In this section, "corporation" means an incorporated
company or other body corporate and includes a society registered under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Section 64
Service when persons summoned cannot be found.
Where the person summoned cannot, by the
exercise of due diligence, be found, the summons may be served by leaving one
of the duplicates for him with some adult male member of his family residing
with him, and the person with whom the summons is so left shall, if so required
by the serving officer, sign a receipt therefor on the back of the other
duplicate.
Explanation.-A servant is not a member of the family within the meaning
of this section.
Section 65
Procedure when service cannot be effected as before provided.
If service cannot by the exercise of due
diligence be effected as provided in section 62, section 63 or section 64, the
serving officer shall affix one of the duplicates of the summons to some
conspicuous part of the house or homestead in which the person summoned
ordinarily resides; and thereupon the Court, after making such inquiries as it
thinks fit, may either declare that the summons has been duly served or order
fresh service in such manner as it considers proper.
Section 66
Service on Government.
(1) Where the person summoned is in the active
service of the Government, the Court issuing the summons shall ordinarily sent
it in duplicate to the head of the office in which such person is employed; and
such head shall thereupon cause the summons to be served in the manner provided
by section 62, and shall return it to the Court under his signature with the
endorsement required by that section.
(2) Such signature shall be evidence of due service.
Section 67
Service of summons outside local limits.
When a Court desires that a summons issued by
it shall be served at any place outside its local jurisdiction, it shall
ordinarily send such summons in duplicate to a Magistrate within whose local
jurisdiction the person summoned resides, or is, to be there served.
Section 68
Proof of service in such cases and when serving officer not present.
(1) When a summons issued by a Court is served
outside its local jurisdiction, and in any case where the officer who has
served a summons is not present at the hearing of the case, an affidavit,
purporting to be made before a Magistrate, that such summons has been served,
and a duplicate of the summons purporting to be endorsed (in the manner
provided by section 62 or section 64) by the person to whom i t was delivered
or tendered or with whom it was left, shall be admissible in evidence, and the
statements made therein shall be deemed to be correct unless and until the
contrary is proved.
(2) The affidavit mentioned in this section may be attached to the duplicate of
the summons are returned to the Court.
Section 69
Service of summons on witness by post.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the
preceding sections of this Chapter, a Court issuing a summons to a witness may,
in addition to and simultaneously with the issue of such summons, direct a copy
of the summons to be served by registered post addressed to the witness at the
place where he ordinarily resides or carries on business or personally works
for gain.
(2) When an acknowledgment purporting to be
signed by the witness or an endorsement purporting to be made by a postal
employee that the witness refused to take delivery of the summons has been
received, the Court issuing the summons may declare that the summons has been
duly served.
Section 70
Form of warrant of arrest and duration.
(1) Every warrant of arrest issued by a Court
under this Code shall be in writing, signed by the presiding officer of such
Court and shall bear the seal of the Court.
(2) Every such warrant shall remain in force until it is cancelled by the Court
which issued it, or until it is executed.
Section 71
Power to direct security to be taken.
(1) Any Court issuing a warrant for the arrest
of any person may in its discretion direct by endorsement on the warrant that,
if such person executes a bond with sufficient sureties for his attendance
before the Court at a specified time and thereafter until otherwise directed by
the Court, the officer to whom the warrant is directed shall take such security
and shall release such person from custody.
(2) The endorsement shall state-
(a) the number of sureties;
(b) the amount in which they and the person for whose arrest the warrant is
issued, are be respectively bound;
(c) the time at which he is to attend before the Court.
(3) Whenever security is taken under this
section, the officer to whom the warrant is directed shall forward the bond to
the Court.
Section 72
Warrants to whom directed.
(1) A warrant of arrest shall ordinarily be
directed to one or more police officers; but the Court issuing such a warrant
may, if its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is
immediately available, direct it to any other person or persons, and such
person or persons shall execute the same.
(2) When a warrant is directed to more officers or persons than one, it may be
executed by all, or by any one or more of them.
Section 73
Warrant may be directed to any person.
(1) The Chief Judicial Magistrate or a
Magistrate of the first class may direct a warrant to any person within his
local jurisdiction for the arrest of any escaped convict, proclaimed offender
or of any person who is accused of a non-bailable offence and is evading
arrest.
(2) Such person shall acknowledge in writing the receipt of the warrant, and
shall execute it if the person for whose arrest it was issued, is in, or enters
on, any land or other property under his charge.
(3) When the person against whom such warrant is issued is arrested, he shall
be made over with the warrant to the nearest police officer, who shall cause
him to be taken before a Magistrate having jurisdiction in the case, unless
security is taken under section 71.
Section 74
Warrant directed to police officer.
A warrant directed to any police officer may
also be executed by any other police officer whose name is endorsed upon the
warrant by the officer to whom it is directed or endorsed.
Section 75
Notification of substance of warrant.
The police officer or other person executing a
warrant of arrest shall notify the substance thereof to the person to be
arrested, and, if so required, shall show him the warrant.
Section 76
Person arrested to be brought before Court without delay.
The police officer or other person executing a
warrant of arrest shall (subject to the provisions of section 71 as to
security) without unnecessary delay bring the person arrested before the Court
before which he is required by law to produce such person:
Provided that such delay shall not, in any case, exceed twenty-four
hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest
to the Magistrate's Court.
Section 77
Where warrant may be executed.
A warrant of arrest may be executed at any
place in India .
Section 78
Warrant forwarded for execution outside jurisdiction.
(1) When a warrant is to be executed outside
the local jurisdiction of the Court issuing it, such Court may, instead of
directing the warrant to a police officer within its jurisdiction, forward it
by post or otherwise to any Executive Magistrate or District Superintendent of
Police or Commissioner of Police within the local limits of whose jurisdiction
it is to be executed; and the Executive Magistrate or District Superintendent
or Commissioner shall endorse his name thereon, and if practicable, cause it to
be executed in the manner herein before provided.
(2) The Court issuing a warrant under
sub-section (1) shall forward, along with the warrant, the substance of the
information against the person to be arrested together with such documents, if
any, as may be sufficient to enable the Court acting under section 81 to decide
whether bail should or should not be granted to the person.
Section 79
Warrant directed to police officer for execution outside jurisdiction.
(1) When a warrant directed to a police
officer is to be executed beyond the local jurisdiction of the Court issuing
the same, he shall ordinarily take it for endorsement either to an Executive Magistrate
or to a police officer not below the rank of an officer in charge of a police
station, within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the warrant is to be
executed.
(2) Such Magistrate or police officer shall endorse his name thereon and such
endorsement shall be sufficient authority to the police officer to whom the
warrant is directed to execute the same, and the local police shall, if so
required, assist such officer in executing such warrant.
(3)Whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by obtaining
the endorsement of the Magistrate or police officer within whose local
jurisdiction the warrant is to be executed will prevent such execution, the
police officer to whom it is directed may execute the same without such
endorsement in any place beyond the local jurisdiction of the Court which
issued it.
Section 80
Procedure on arrest of person against whom warrant issued.
When a warrant of arrest is executed outside
the district in which it was issued, the person arrested shall, unless the
Court which issued the warrant is within thirty kilometers of the place of
arrest or is nearer than the Executive Magistrate or District Superintendent of
Police or Commissioner of Police within the local limits of whose jurisdiction
the arrest was made, or unless security is taken under section 71, be taken
before such Magistrate or District Superintendent or Commissioner.
Section 81
Procedure by Magistrate before whom such person arrested is brought.
(1) The Executive Magistrate or District
Superintendent of Police or Commissioner of Police shall, if the person
arrested appears to be the person intended by the Court which issued the
warrant, direct his removal in custody to such Court:
Provided that, if the offence is bailable, and such person is already
and willing to give bail to the satisfaction of such Magistrate, District
Superintendent or Commissioner, or a direction has been endorsed under section
71 on the warrant and such person is ready and willing to give the security
required by such direction, the Magistrate, District Superintendent or
Commissioner shall take such bail or security, as the case may be, and forward
the bond, to the Court which issued the warrant:
Provided further that if the offence is a non-bailable one, it shall be
lawful for the Chief Judicial Magistrate (subject to the provisions of section
437), or the Sessions Judge, of the district in which the arrest is made on
consideration of the information and the documents referred to in sub-section
(2) of section 78, to release such person on bail.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent a police officer from
taking security under section 71.
Section 82
Proclamation for person absconding.
(1) If any Court has reason to believe
(whether after taking evidence or not) that any person against whom a warrant
has been issued by it has absconded or is concealing himself so that such
warrant cannot be executed, such Court may public a written proclamation
requiring him to appear at a specified place and at a specified time not less
than thirty days from the date of publishing such proclamation.
(2) The proclamation shall be published as follows:-
(i) (a) it shall be publicly read in some conspicuous place of the town or
village in which such person ordinarily resides;
(b) it shall be affixed to some conspicuous part of the house or homestead in
which such person ordinarily resides or to some conspicuous place of such town
or village;
(c) a copy thereof shall be affixed to some conspicuous part of the
Court-house;
(ii) the Court may also, if it thinks fit, direct a copy of the proclamation to
be published in a daily newspaper circulating in the place in which such person
ordinarily resides.
(3) A statement in writing by the Court
issuing the proclamation to the effect that the proclamation was duly published
on a specified day, in the manner specified in clause (I) of sub-section (2),
shall be conclusive evidence that the requirements of this section have been
complied with, and that the proclamation was published on such day.
Section 83
Attachment of property of person absconding.
(1) The Court issuing a proclamation under
section 82 may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, at any time after the
issue of the proclamation, order the attachment of any property, movable or
immovable, or both, belonging to the proclaimed person:
Provided that where at the time of the issue of the proclamation the
Court is satisfied, by affidavit or otherwise that the person in relation to
whom the proclamation is to be issued, -
(a) is about to dispose of the whole or any
part of his property, or
(b) is about to remove the whole or any part
of his property from the local jurisdiction of the Court, it may order the
attachment simultaneously with the issue of the proclamation.
(2) Such order shall authorize the attachment
of any property belonging to such person within the district in which it is
made; and it shall authorize the attachment of any property belonging to such
person without such district when endorsed by the District Magistrate within
whose district such property is situate.
(3) If the property ordered to be attached is a debt or other movable property,
the attachment under this section shall be made-
(a) by seizure; or
(b) by the appointment of a receiver; or
(c) by an order in writing prohibiting the delivery of such property to the
proclaimed person or to any one on his behalf; on
(d) by all or any two of such methods, as the Court thinks fit.
(4) If the property ordered to be attached is immovable,
the attachment under this section shall, in the case of land paying revenue to
the State Government, be made through the Collector of the district in which
the land is situate, and in all other cases-
(a) by taking possession; or
(b) by the appointment of a receiver; or
(c) by an order in writing prohibiting the payment of rent on delivery of
property to
the proclaimed person or to any one on his behalf; or
(d) by all or any two of such methods, as the Court thinks fit.
(5) If the property ordered to be attached consists of live-stock or is of a
perishable nature, the Court may, if it thinks it expedient, order immediate
sale thereof, and in such case the proceeds of the sale shall abide the order
of the Court.
(6) The powers, duties and liabilities of a receiver appointed under this
section shall be the same as those of a receiver appointed under the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908(5 of 1908).
Section 84
Claims and objections to attachment.
(1) If any claim is preferred to, or objection
made to the attachment of, any property attached under section 83, within six
months from the date of such attachment, by any person other than the
proclaimed person, on the ground that the claimant or objector has an interest
in such property, and that such interest is not liable to attachment under
section 83, the claim or objection shall be inquired into, and may be allowed
or disallowed in whole or in part:
Provided that any claim preferred or objection made within the period
allowed by this sub-section may, in the event of the death of the claimant or
objector, be continued by his legal representative.
(2) Claims or objections under sub-section (1) may be preferred or made in the
Court by which the order of attachment is issued, or, if the claim or objection
is in respect of property attached under an order endorsed under sub-section
(2) of section 83, in the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate of the
district in which the attachment is made.
(3) Every such claim or objection shall be inquired into by the Court in which
it is preferred or made:
Provided that, if it is preferred or made in the Court of a Chief
Judicial Magistrate, he may make it over for disposal to any Magistrate
subordinate to him.
(4) Any person whose claim or objection has been disallowed in whole or in part
by an order under sub-section (1) may, within a period of one year from the
date of such order, institute a suit to establish the right which he claims in
respect of the property in dispute; but subject to the result of such suit, if
any, the order shall be conclusive.
Section 85
Release, sale and restoration of attached property.
(1) If the proclaimed person appears within
the time specified in the proclamation, the Court shall make an order releasing
the property from the attachment.
(2) If the proclaimed person does not appear within the time specified in the
proclamation, the property under the attachment shall be at the disposal of the
State Government; but it shall not be sold until the expiration of six months
from the date of the attachment and until any claim preferred or objection made
under section 84 has been disposed of under that section, unless it is subject
to speedy and natural decay, or the Court considers that the sale would be for
the benefit of the owner; in either of which cases the Court may cause it to be
sold whenever it thinks fit.
(3) If, within two years from the date of the attachment, any person whose
property is or has been at the disposal of the State Government, under
sub-section (2), appears voluntarily or is apprehended and brought before the
Court by whose order the property was attached, or the Court to which such
Court is subordinate, and proves to the satisfaction of such Court that he did
not abscond or conceal himself for the purpose of avoiding execution of the
warrant, and that he had not such notice of the proclamation as to enable him
to attend within the time specified therein such property, or, if the same has
been sold, the net proceeds of the sale, or, if part only thereof has been
sold, the net proceeds of the sale, and the residue of the property, shall,
after satisfying there from all costs incurred in consequence of the
attachment, be delivered to him.
Section 86
Appeal from order rejecting application for restoration of attached
property.-
Any person referred to in sub-section (3) of
section 85, who is aggrieved by any refusal to deliver property or the proceeds
of the sale thereof may appeal to the Court to which appeals ordinarily lie
from the sentences of the first-mentioned Court.
Section 87
Issue of warrant in lieu of, or in addition to, summons.
A Court may, in any case in
which it is empowered by this Code to issue a summons for the appearance of any
person, issue, after recording its reasons in writing, a warrant for his
arrest-
(a) if, either before the issue of such
summons, or after the issue of the same but before the time fixed for his
appearance, the Court sees reason to believe that he has absconded or will not
obey the summons; or
(b) if at such time he fails to appear and the
summons is proved to have been duly served in time to admit of his appearing in
accordance therewith and no reasonable excuse is offered for such failure.
Section 88
Power to take bond for appearance.
When any person for whose appearance or arrest
the officer presiding in any Court is empowered to issue a summons or warrant,
is present in such Court, such officer may require such person to execute a
bond, with or without sureties, for his appearance in such Court, or any other
Court to which the case may be transferred for trial.
Section 89
Arrest on breach of bond for appearance.
When any person who is bound by any bond taken
under this Code to appear before a Court, does not appear, the officer
presiding in such Court may issue a warrant directing that such person be
arrested and produced before him.
Section 90
Provisions of this Chapter generally applicable to summonses and warrants
of arrest.-
The provisions contained in this Chapter
relating to a summons and warrant, and their issue, service and execution,
shall, so far as may be, apply to every summons and every warrant of arrest
issued under this Code.
Section
Summons to produce document or other thing.
A.-Summons to produce
91. Summons to produce document or other thing.-
(1) Whenever any Court or any officer in charge of a police station considers that the production of any document or other thing is necessary or desirable for the purposes of any investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code by or before such Court or officer, such Court may issue a summons, or such officer a written order, to the person in whose possession or power such document or thing is believed to be, requiring him to attend and produce it, or to produce it, at the time and place stated in the summons or order.
(2) Any person required under this section merely to produce a document or other thing shall be deemed to have complied with the requisition if he causes such document or thing to be produced instead of attending personally to produce the same.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed-
(a) to affect sections 123 and 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), or the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891 (13 of 1891), or
(b) to apply to a letter, postcard, telegram or other document or any parcel or thing in the custody of the postal or telegraph authority.
Section 92
Procedure as to letters and telegrams.
(1) If any document, parcel or thing in the custody of a postal or telegraph authority is, in the opinion of the District Magistrate, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Court of Session or High Court wanted for the purpose of any investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, such Magistrate or Court may require the postal or telegraph authority, as the case may be, to deliver the document, parcel or thing to such person as the Magistrate or Court directs.
(2) If any such document, parcel or thing is, in the opinion of any other Magistrate, whether Executive or Judicial, or of any Commissioner of Police or District Superintendent of Police, wanted for any such purpose, he may require the postal or telegraph authority, as the case may be, to cause search to be made for and to detain such document, parcel or thing pending the order of a District Magistrate, Chief Judicial Magistrate or Court under sub-section (1).
Section
When search-warrant may be issued.
B.-Search-warrants
93. When search-warrant may be issued.-
(1) (a) Where any Court has reason to believe that a person to whom a summons order under section 91 or a requisition under sub-section (1) of section 92 has been, or might be, addressed, will not or would not produce the document or thing as required by such summons or requisition, or (b) where such document or thing is not known to the Court to be in the possession of any person, or (c) where the Court considers that the purposes of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code will be served by a general search or inspection, it may issue a search-warrant; and the person to whom such warrant is directed, may search or inspect in accordance therewith and the provisions hereinafter contained.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, specify in the warrant the particular place or part thereof to which only the search or inspection shall extend; and the person charged with the execution of such warrant shall then search or inspect only the place or part so specified.
(3) Nothing contained in this section shall authorise any Magistrate other than a District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate to grant a warrant to search for a document, parcel or other thing in the custody of the postal or telegraph authority.
Section 94
Search of place suspected to contain stolen property, forged documents, etc.
(1) If a District Magistrate, Sub-divisional Magistrate or Magistrate of the first class, upon information and after such inquiry as he thinks necessary, has reason to believe that any place is used for the deposit or sale of stolen property, or for the deposit, sale or production of any objectionable article to which this section applies, or that any such objectionable article is deposited in any place, he may by warrant authorise any police officer above the rank of a constable-
(a) to enter, with such assistance as may be required, such place,
(b) to search the same in the manner specified in the warrant,
(c) to take possession of any property or article therein found which he reasonably suspects to be stolen property or objectionable article to which this section applies,
(d) to convey such property or article before a Magistrate, or to guard the same on the spot until the offender is taken before a Magistrate, or otherwise to dispose of it in some place of safety,
(e) to take into custody and carry before a Magistrate every person found in such place who appears to have been privy to the deposit, sale or production of any such property or article knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect it to be stolen property or, as the case may be, objectionable article to which this section applies.
(2) The objectionable articles to which this section applies are-
(a) counterfeit coin;
(b) pieces of metal made in contravention of the Metal Tokens Act, 1889 (1 of 1889), or brought into India in contravention of any notification for the time being in force under section 11 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962);
(c) counterfeit currency note; counterfeit stamps;
(d) forged documents;
(e) false seals;
(f) obscene objects referred to in section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
(g) instruments or materials used for the production of any of the articles mentioned in clauses (a) to (f).
Section 95
Power to declare certain publications forfeited and to issue search-warrants for the same.
(1) Where-
(a) any newspaper, or book, or
(b) any document, wherever printed, appears to the State Government to contain any matter the publication of which is punishable under section 124A or section 153A or section 153B or section 292 or section 293 or section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the State Government may, by notification, stating the grounds of its opinion, declare every copy of the issue of the newspaper containing such matter, and every copy of such book or other document to be forfeited to Government, and thereupon any police officer may seize the same wherever found in India and any Magistrate may by warrant authorise any police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector to enter upon and search for the same in any premises where any copy of such issue, or any such book or other document may be or may be reasonably suspected to be.
(2) In this section and in section 96,-
(a) "newspaper" and "book" have the same meaning as in the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867);
(b) "document" includes any painting, drawing or photograph, or other visible representation.
(3) No order passed or action taken under this section shall be called in question in any Court otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of section 96.
Section 96
Application to High Court to set aside declaration of forfeiture.
(1) Any person having any interest in any newspaper, book or other document, in respect of which a declaration of forfeiture has been made under section 95, may, within two months from the date of publication in the Official Gazette of such declaration, apply to the High Court to set aside such declaration on the ground that the issue of the newspaper, or the book or other document, in respect of which the declaration was made, did not contain any such matter as is referred to in sub-section (1) of section 95.
(2) Every such application shall, where the High Court consists of three or more Judges, be heard and determined by a Special Bench of the High Court composed of three Judges and where the High Court consists of less than three Judges, such Special Bench shall be composed of all the Judges of that High Court.
(3) On the hearing of any such application with reference to any newspaper, any copy of such newspaper may be given in evidence in aid of the proof of the nature or tendency of the words, signs or visible representations contained in such newspaper, in respect of which the declaration of forfeiture was made.
(4) The High Court shall, if it is not satisfied that the issue of the newspaper, or the book or other document, in respect of which the application has been made, contained any such matter as is referred to in sub-section (1) of section 95, set aside the declaration of forfeiture.
(5) Where there is a difference of opinion among the Judges forming the Special Bench, the decision shall be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of those Judges.
Section 97
Search for persons wrongfully confined.
If any District Magistrate, Sub-divisional Magistrate or Magistrate of the first class has reason to believe that any person is confined under such circumstances that the confinement amounts to an offence, he may issue a search-warrant, and the person to whom such warrant is directed may search for the person so confined; and such search shall be made in accordance therewith, and the person, if found, shall be immediately taken before a Magistrate, who shall make such order as in the circumstances of the case seems proper.
Section 98
Power to compel restoration of abducted females.
Upon complaint made on oath of the abduction or unlawful detention of a woman, or a female child under the age of eighteen years for any unlawful purpose, a District Magistrate, Sub-divisional Magistrate or Magistrate of the first class may make an order for the immediate restoration of such woman to her liberty, or of such female child to her husband, parent, guardian or other person having the lawful charge of such child, and may compel compliance with such order, using such force as may be necessary.
Section 99
Direction, etc., of search-warrants.
The provisions of sections 38, 70, 72, 74, 77, 78 and 79 shall, so far as may be, apply to all search-warrants issued under section 93, section 94, section 95 or section 97.
Section
Persons in charge of closed place to allow search.
C.-General provisions relating to searches
100. Persons in charge of closed place to allow search.-
(1) Whenever any place liable to search or inspection under this Chapter is closed, any person residing in, or being in charge of, such place, shall, on demand of the officer or other person executing the warrant, and on production of the warrant, allow him free ingress thereto, and afford all reasonable facilities for a search therein.
(2) If ingress into such place cannot be so obtained, the officer or other person executing the warrant may proceed in the manner provided by sub-section (2) of section 47.
(3) Where any person in or about such place is reasonably suspected of concealing about his person any article for which search should be made, such person may be searched and if such person is a woman, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency.
(4) Before making a search under this Chapter, the officer or other person about to make it shall call upon two or more independent and respectable inhabitants of the locality in which the place to be searched is situate or of any other locality if no such inhabitant of the said locality is available or is willing to be a witness to the search, to attend and witness the search and may issue an order in writing to them or any of them so to do.
(5) The search shall be made in their presence, and a list of all things seized in the course of such search and of the places in which they are respectively found shall be prepared by such officer or other person and signed by such witnesses; but no person witnessing a search under this section shall be required to attend the Court as a witness of the search unless specially summoned by it.
(6) The occupant of the place searched, or some person in his behalf, shall, in every instance, be permitted to attend during the search, and a copy of the list prepared under this section, signed by the said witnesses, shall be delivered to such occupant or person.
(7) When any person is searched under sub-section (3), a list of all things taken possession of shall be prepared, and a copy thereof shall be delivered to such person.
(8) Any person who, without reasonable cause, refuses or neglects to attend and witness a search under this section, when called upon to do so by an order in writing delivered or tendered to him, shall be deemed to have committed an offence under section 187 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Section 101
Disposal of things found in search beyond jurisdiction.
When, in the execution of a search-warrant at any place beyond the local jurisdiction of the Court which issued the same, any of the things for which search is made, are found, such things, together with the list of the same prepared under the provisions hereinafter contained, shall be immediately taken before the Court issuing the warrant, unless such place is nearer to the Magistrate having jurisdiction therein than to such Court, in which case the list and things shall be immediately taken before such Magistrate; and, unless there be good cause to the contrary, such Magistrate shall make an order authorising them to be taken to such Court.
Section
Power of police officer to seize certain property.
D.-Miscellaneous
102. Power of police officer to seize certain property.-
(1) Any police officer may seize any property which may be alleged or suspected to have been stolen, or which may be found under circumstances which create suspicion of the commission of any offence.
(2) Such police officer, if subordinate to the officer in charge of a police station, shall forthwith report the seizure to that officer.
1[(3) Every police officer acting under sub-section (1) shall forthwith report the seizure to the Magistrate having jurisdiction and where the property seized is such that it cannot be conveniently transported to the Court, 2[or where there is difficulty in securing proper accommodation for the custody of such property, or where the continued retention of the property in police custody may not be considered necessary for the purpose of investigation,] he may give custody thereof to any person on his executing a bond undertaking to produce the property before the Court as and when required and to give effect to the further orders of the Court as to the disposal of the same:]
3[Provided that where the property seized under sub-section (1) is subject to speedy and natural decay and if the person entitled to the possession of such property is unknown or absent and the value of such property is less than five hundred rupees, it may forthwith be sold by auction under the orders of the Superintendent of Police and the provisions of sections 457 and 458 shall, as nearly as may be practicable, apply to the net proceeds of such sale.]
1. Ins. by Act 45 of 1978, s. 10 (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
2. Ins. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 13 (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
3. Added by s. 13, ibid., (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
Section 103
Magistrate may direct search in his presence.
Any Magistrate may direct a search to be made in his presence of any place for the search of which he is competent to issue a search-warrant.
Section 104
Power to impound document, etc., produced.
Any Court may, if it thinks fit, impound any document or thing produced before it under this Code.
Section 105
Reciprocal arrangements regarding processes.
(1) Where a Court in the territories to which this Code extends (hereafter in this section referred to as the said territories) desires that-
(a) a summons to an accused person, or (b) a warrant for the arrest of an accused person, or
(c) a summons to any person requiring him to attend and produce a document or other thing, or to produce it, or
(d) a search-warrant, 4[issued by it shall be served or executed at any place,-
(i) within the local jurisdiction of a Court in any State or area in India outside the said territories, it may send such summons or warrant in duplicate by post or otherwise, to the presiding officer of that Court to be served or executed; and where any summons referred to in clause (a) or clause (c) has been so served, the provisions of section 68 shall apply in relation to such summons as if the presiding officer of the Court to whom it is sent were a Magistrate in the said territories;
(ii) in any country or place outside India in respect of which arrangements have been made by the Central Government with the Government of such country or place for service or execution of summons or warrant in relation to criminal matters (hereafter in this section referred to as the contracting State), it may send such summons or warrant in duplicate in such form, directed to such Court, Judge or Magistrate, and send to such authority for transmission, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.]
(2) Where a Court in the said territories has received for service or execution-
(a) a summons to an accused person, or
(b) a warrant for the arrest of an accused person, or
(c) a summons to any person requiring him to attend and produce a document or other thing, or to produce it, or
(d) a search-warrant, 2[issued by-
(I) a Court in any State or area in India outside the said territories;
(II) a Court, Judge or Magistrate in a contracting State, it shall cause the same to be served or executed] as if it were a summons or warrant received by it from another Court in the said territories for service or execution within its local jurisdiction; and where-
(i) a warrant of arrest has been executed, the person arrested shall, so far as possible, be dealt with in accordance with the procedure prescribed by sections 80 and 81,
(ii) a search-warrant has been executed, the things found in the search shall, so far as possible, be dealt with in accordance with the procedure prescribed by section 101:
1[Provided that in a case where a summons or search-warrant received from a contracting State has been executed, the documents or things produced or things found in the search shall be forwarded to the Court issuing the summons or search-warrant through such authority as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.]
4. Subs. by Act 32 of 1988, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 25-5-1988).
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 1988, s. 2, (w.e.f. 25-5-1988).
2. Ins. by Act 40 of 1993, s. 2 (w.e.f. 20-7-1994).
Section 106
Security for keeping the peace on conviction.
(1) When a Court of Session or Court of a Magistrate of the first class convicts a person of any of the offences specified in sub-section (2) or of abetting any such offence and is of opinion that it is necessary to take security from such person for keeping the peace, the Court may, at the time of passing sentence on such person, order him to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for keeping the peace for such period, not exceeding three years, as it thinks fit.
(2) The offences referred to in sub-section (1) are-
(a) any offence punishable under Chapter VIII of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), other than an offence punishable under section 153A or section 153B or section 154 thereof;
(b) any offence which consists of, or includes, assault or using criminal force or committing mischief;
(c) any offence of criminal intimidation;
(d) any other offence which caused, or was intended or known to be likely to cause, a breach of the peace.
(3) If the conviction is set aside on appeal or otherwise, the bond so executed shall become void.
(4) An order under this section may also be made by an Appellate Court or by a Court when exercising its powers of revision.
Section 107
Security for keeping the peace in other cases.
(1) When an Executive Magistrate receives information that any person is likely to commit a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity or to do any wrongful act that may probably occasion a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity and is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, he may, in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond 1[with or without sureties,] for keeping the peace for such period, not exceeding one year, as the Magistrate thinks fit.
(2) Proceedings under this section may be taken before any Executive Magistrate when either the place where the breach of the peace or disturbance is apprehended is within his local jurisdiction or there is within such jurisdiction a person who is likely to commit a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity or to do any wrongful act as aforesaid beyond such jurisdiction.
1. Ins. by Act 45 of 1978, s. 11 (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
Section 108
Security for good behaviour from persons disseminating seditious matters.
(1) When 1[an Executive Magistrate] receives information that there is within his local jurisdiction any person who, within or without such jurisdiction,-
(i) either orally or in writing or in any other manner, intentionally disseminates or attempts to disseminate or abets the dissemination of,-
(a) any matter the publication of which is punishable under section 124A or section 153A or section 153B or section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), or
(b) any matter concerning a Judge acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties which amounts to criminal intimidation or defamation under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), (ii) makes, produces, publishes or keeps for sale, imports, exports, conveys, sells, lets to hire, distributes, publicly exhibits or in any other manner puts into circulation any obscene matter such as is referred to in section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and the Magistrate is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, the Magistrate may, in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for his good behaviour for such period, not exceeding one year, as the Magistrate thinks fit.
(2) No proceedings shall be taken under this section against the editor, proprietor, printer or publisher of any publication registered under, and edited, printed and published in conformity with, the rules laid down in the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (25 of 1867), with reference to any matter contained in such publication except by the order or under the authority of the State Government or some officer empowered by the State Government in this behalf.
1. Subs. by Act 63 of 1980, s. 2, for "a Judicial Magistrate of the first class" (w.e.f. 23-9-1980).
Section 109
Security for good behaviour from suspected persons.
When 2[an Executive Magistrate] receives information that there is within his local jurisdiction a person taking precautions to conceal his presence and that there is reason to believe that he is doing so with a view to committing a cognizable offence, the Magistrate may, in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for his good behaviour for such period, not exceeding one year, as the Magistrate thinks fit.
Section 110
Security for good behaviour from habitual offenders.
When 2[an Executive Magistrate] receives information that there is within his local jurisdiction a person who-
(a) is by habit a robber, house-breaker, thief, or forger, or
(b) is by habit a receiver of stolen property knowing the same to have been stolen, or
(c) habitually protects or harbours thieves, or aids in the concealment or disposal of stolen property, or
(d) habitually commits, or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of, the offence of kidnapping, abduction, extortion, cheating or mischief, or any offence punishable under Chapter XII of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), or under section 489A, section 489B, section 489C or section 489D of that Code, or
(e) habitually commits, or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of, offences, involving a breach of the peace, or
(f) habitually commits, or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of-
(i) any offence under one or more of the following Acts, namely:-
(a) the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940);
1[(b) the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (46 of 1973);]
(c) the Employees' Provident Fund 2[and Family Pension Fund] Act, 1952 (19 of 1952);
(d) the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954);
(e) the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955);
(f) the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 (22 of 1955);
(g) the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962); 3***
4[(h) the Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946); or]
(ii) any offence punishable under any other law providing for the prevention of hoarding or profiteering or of adulteration of food or drugs or of corruption, or
(g) is so desperate and dangerous to render his being at large without security hazardous to the community, such Magistrate may, in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond, with sureties, for his good behaviour for such period, not exceeding three years, as the Magistrate thinks fit.
1. Subs. by Act 56 of 1974, s. 3 and the Second Sch., for item (b) (w.e.f. 10-1-1975).
2. Ins. by s. 3 and the Second Sch., ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-1975).
3. The word "or" omitted by Act 25 of 2005, s. 14 (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
4. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
Section 111
Order to be made.
When a Magistrate acting under section 107, section 108, section 109 or section 110, deems it necessary to require any person to show cause under such section, he shall make an order in writing, setting forth the substance of the information received, the amount of the bond to be executed, the term for which it is to be in force, and the number, character and class of sureties (if any) required.
Section 112
Procedure in respect of person present in Court.
If the person in respect of whom such order is made is present in Court, it shall be read over to him, or, if he so desires, the substance thereof shall be explained to him.
Section 113
Summons or warrant in case of person not so present.
If such person is not present in Court, the Magistrate shall issue a summons requiring him to appear, or, when such person is in custody, a warrant directing the officer in whose custody he is to bring him before the Court:
Provided that whenever it appears to such Magistrate, upon the report of a police officer or upon other information (the substance of which report or information shall be recorded by the Magistrate), that there is reason to fear the commission of a breach of the peace, and that such breach of the peace cannot be prevented otherwise than by the immediate arrest of such person, the Magistrate may at any time issue a warrant for his arrest.
Section 114
Copy of order to accompany summons or warrant.
Every summons or warrant issued under section 113 shall be accompanied by a copy of the order made under section 111, and such copy shall be delivered by the officer serving or executing such summons or warrant to the person served with, or arrested under, the same.
Section 115
Power to dispense with personal attendance.
The Magistrate may, if he sees sufficient cause, dispense with the personal attendance of any person called upon to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour and may permit him to appear by a pleader.
Section 116
Inquiry as to truth of information.
(1) When an order under section 111 has been read or explained under section 112 to a person present in Court, or when any person appears or is brought before a Magistrate in compliance with, or in execution of, a summons or warrant, issued under section 113, the Magistrate shall proceed to inquire into the truth of the information upon which action has been taken, and to take such further evidence as may appear necessary.
(2) Such inquiry shall be made, as nearly as may be practicable, in the manner hereinafter prescribed for conducting trial and recording evidence in summons-cases.
(3) After the commencement, and before the completion, of the inquiry under sub-section (1), the Magistrate, if he considers that immediate measures are necessary for the prevention of a breach of the peace or disturbance of the public tranquillity or the commission of any offence or for the public safety, may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, direct the person in respect of whom the order under section 111 has been made to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for keeping the peace or maintaining good behaviour until the conclusion of the inquiry, and may detain him in custody until such bond is executed or, in default of execution, until the inquiry is concluded:
Provided that-
(a) no person against whom proceedings are not being taken under section 108, section 109, or section 110 shall be directed to execute a bond for maintaining good behaviour;
(b) the conditions of such bond, whether as to the amount thereof or as to the provision of sureties or the number thereof or the pecuniary extent of their liability, shall not be more onerous than those specified in the order under section 111.
(4) For the purposes of this section the fact that a person is an habitual offender or is so desperate and dangerous as to render his being at large without security hazardous to the community may be proved by evidence of general repute or otherwise.
(5) Where two or more persons have been associated together in the matter under inquiry, they may be dealt within the same or separate inquiries as the Magistrate shall think just.
(6) The inquiry under this section shall be completed within a period of six months from the date of its commencement, and if such inquiry is not so completed, the proceedings under this Chapter shall, on the expiry of the said period, stand terminated unless, for special reasons to be recorded in writing, the Magistrate otherwise directs:
Provided that where any person has been kept in detention pending such inquiry, the proceeding against that person, unless terminated earlier, shall stand terminated on the expiry of a period of six months of such detention.
(7) Where any direction is made under sub-section (6) permitting the continuance of proceedings the Sessions Judge may, on an application made to him by the aggrieved party, vacate such direction if he is satisfied that it was not based on any special reason or was perverse.
Section 117
Order to give security.
If, upon such inquiry, it is proved that it is necessary for keeping the peace or maintaining good behaviour, as the case may be, that the person in respect of whom the inquiry is made should execute a bond, with or without sureties, the Magistrate shall make an order accordingly:
Provided that-
(a) no person shall be ordered to give security of a nature different from, or of an amount larger than, or for a period longer than, that specified in the order made under section 111;
(b) the amount of every bond shall be fixed with due regard to the circumstances of the case and shall not be excessive;
(c) when the person in respect of whom the inquiry is made is a minor, the bond shall be executed only by his sureties.
Section 118
Discharge of person informed against.
If, on an inquiry under section 116, it is not proved that it is necessary for keeping the peace or maintaining good behaviour, as the case may be, that the person in respect of whom the inquiry is made, should execute a bond, the Magistrate shall make an entry on the record to that effect, and if such person is in custody only for the purposes of the inquiry, shall release him, or, if such person is not in custody, shall discharge him.
Section 119
Commencement of period for which security is required.
(1) If any person, in respect of whom an order requiring security is made under section 106 or section 117, is at the time such order is made, sentenced to, or undergoing a sentence of, imprisonment, the period for which such security is required shall commence on the expiration of such sentence.
(2) In other cases such period shall commence on the date of such order unless the Magistrate, for sufficient reason, fixes a later date.
Section 120
Contents of bond.
The bond to be executed by any such person shall bind him to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour, as the case may be, and in the latter case the commission or attempt to commit, or the abetment of, any offence punishable with imprisonment, wherever it may be committed, is a breach of the bond.
Section 121
Power to reject sureties.
(1) A Magistrate may refuse to accept any surety offered, or may reject any surety previously accepted by him or his predecessor under this Chapter on the ground that such surety is an unfit person for the purposes of the bond: Provided that, before so refusing to accept or rejecting any such surety, he shall either himself hold an inquiry on oath into the fitness of the surety, or cause such inquiry to be held and a report to be made thereon by a Magistrate subordinate to him.
(2) Such Magistrate shall, before holding the inquiry, give reasonable notice to the surety and to the person by whom the surety was offered and shall, in making the inquiry, record the substance of the evidence adduced before him.
(3) If the Magistrate is satisfied, after considering the evidence so adduced either before him or before a Magistrate deputed under sub-section (1), and the report of such Magistrate (if any), that the surety is an unfit person for the purposes of the bond, he shall make an order refusing to accept or rejecting, as the case may be, such surety and recording his reasons for so doing: Provided that, before making an order rejecting any surety who has previously been accepted, the Magistrate shall issue his summons or warrant, as he thinks fit, and cause the person for whom the surety is bound to appear or to be brought before him.
Section 122
Imprisonment in default of security.
(1) (a) If any person ordered to give security under section 106 or section 117 does not give such security on or before the date on which the period for which such security is to be given commences, he shall, except in the case next hereinafter mentioned, be committed to prison, or, if he is already in prison, be detained in prison until such period expires or until within such period he gives the security to the Court or Magistrate who made the order requiring it.
(b) If any person after having executed a 1[bond, with or without sureties] without sureties for keeping the peace in pursuance of an order of a Magistrate under section 117, is proved, to the satisfaction of such Magistrate or his successor-in-office, to have committed breach of the bond, such Magistrate or successor-in-office may, after recording the grounds of such proof, order that the person be arrested and detained in prison until the expiry of the period of the bond and such order shall be without prejudice to any other punishment or forfeiture to which the said person may be liable in accordance with law.
(2) When such person has been ordered by a Magistrate to give security for a period exceeding one year, such Magistrate shall, if such person does not give such security as aforesaid, issue a warrant directing him to be detained in prison pending the orders of the Sessions Judge and the proceedings shall be laid, as soon as conveniently may be, before such Court.
(3) Such Court, after examining such proceedings and requiring from the Magistrate any further information or evidence which it thinks necessary, and after giving the concerned person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, may pass such order on the case as it thinks fit:
Provided that the period (if any) for which any person is imprisoned for failure to give security shall not exceed three years.
(4) If security has been required in the course of the same proceeding from two or more persons in respect of any one of whom the proceedings are referred to the Sessions Judge under sub-section (2) such reference shall also include the case of any other of such persons who has been order to give security, and the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) shall, in that event, apply to the case of such other person also, except that the period (if any) for which he may be imprisoned, shall not exceed the period for which he was ordered to give security.
(5) A Sessions Judge may in his discretion transfer any proceedings laid before him under sub-section (2) or sub-section (4) to an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge and upon such transfer, such Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge may exercise the powers of a Sessions Judge under this section in respect of such proceedings.
(6) If the security is tendered to the officer in charge of the jail, he shall forthwith refer the matter to the Court or Magistrate who made the order, and shall await the orders of such Court or Magistrate.
(7) Imprisonment for failure to give security for keeping the peace shall be simple.
(8) Imprisonment for failure to give security for good behaviour shall, where the proceedings have been taken under section 108, be simple, and, where the proceedings have been taken under section 109 or section 110, be rigorous or simple as the Court or Magistrate in each case directs.
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 15, for "bond without sureties" (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
Section 123
Power to release persons imprisoned for failing to give security.
(1) Whenever 1[the District Magistrate in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case] is of opinion that any person imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter may be released without hazard to the community or to any other person, he may order such person to be discharged.
(2) Whenever any person has been imprisoned for failing to give security under this Chapter, the High Court or Court of Session, or, where the order was made by any other Court, 2[District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case], may make an order reducing the amount of the security or the number of sureties or the time for which security has been required.
(3) An order under sub-section (1) may direct the discharge of such person either without conditions or upon any conditions which such person accepts:
Provided that any condition imposed shall cease to be operative when the period for which such person was ordered to give security has expired.
(4) The State Government may prescribe the conditions upon which a conditional discharge may be made.
(5) If any condition upon which any person has been discharged is, in the opinion of 2[District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case] by whom the order of discharge was made or of his successor, not fulfilled, he may cancel the same.
(6) When a conditional order of discharge has been cancelled under sub-section (5), such person may be arrested by any police officer without warrant, and shall thereupon be produced before the 3[District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case].
(7) Unless such person gives security in accordance with the terms of the original order for the unexpired portion of the term for which he was in the first instance committed or ordered to be detained (such portion being deemed to be a period equal to the period between the date of the breach of the conditions of discharge and the date on which, except for such conditional discharge, he would have been entitled to release), 1[District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case] may remand such person to prison to undergo such unexpired portion.
(8) A person remanded to prison under sub-section (7) shall, subject to the provisions of section 122, be released at any time on giving security in accordance with the terms of the original order for the unexpired portion aforesaid to the Court or Magistrate by whom such order was made, or to its or his successor.
(9) The High Court or Court of Session may at any time, for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel any bond for keeping the peace or for good behaviour executed under this Chapter by any order made by it, and 1[District Magistrate, in the case of an order passed by an Executive Magistrate under section 117, or the Chief Judicial Magistrate in any other case] may make such cancellation where such bond was executed under his order or under the order of any other Court in his district.
(10) Any surety for the peaceable conduct or good behaviour of another person ordered to execute a bond under this Chapter may at any time apply to the Court making such order to cancel the bond and on such application being made, the Court shall issue a summons or warrant, as it thinks fit, requiring the person for whom such surety is bond appear or to be brought before it.
1. Subs. by Act 45 of 1978, s. 12, for "the Chief Judicial Magistrate" (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
2. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for "Chief Judicial Magistrate" (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for "Chief Judicial Magistrate" (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
Section 124
Security for unexpired period of bond.
(1) When a person for whose appearance a summons or warrant has been issued under the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 121 or under sub-section (10) of section 123, appears or is brought before the Magistrate or Court, the Magistrate or Court shall cancel the bond executed by such person and shall order such person to give, for the unexpired portion of the term of such bond, fresh security of the same description as the original security.
(2) Every such order shall, for the purposes of sections 120 to 123 (both inclusive) be deemed to be an order made under section 106 or section 117, as the case may be.
Section 125
Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents.
(1) If any person having sufficient means neglects or refuses to maintain-
(a) his wife, unable to maintain herself, or
(b) his legitimate or illegitimate minor child, whether married or not, unable to maintain itself, or
(c) his legitimate or illegitimate child (not being a married daughter) who has attained majority, where such child is, by reason of any physical or mental abnormality or injury unable to maintain itself, or
(d) his father or mother, unable to maintain himself or herself, a Magistrate of the first class may, upon proof of such neglect or refusal, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother, at such monthly rate 1*** as such Magistrate thinks fit and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct:
Provided that the Magistrate may order the father of a minor female child referred to in clause (b) to make such allowance, until she attains her majority, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the husband of such minor female child, if married, is not possessed of sufficient means:
2[Provided further that the Magistrate may, during the pendency of the proceeding regarding monthly allowance for the maintenance under this sub-section, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the interim maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother, and the expenses of such proceeding which the Magistrate considers reasonable, and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct:
Provided also that an application for the monthly allowance for the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding under the second proviso shall, as far as possible, be disposed of within sixty days from the date of the service of notice of the application to such person.]
Explanation.- For the purposes of this Chapter,-
(a) "minor" means a person who, under the provisions of the Indian Majority Act, 1875 (9 of 1875) is deemed not to have attained his majority;
(b) "wife" includes a woman who has been divorced by, or has obtained a divorce from, her husband and has not remarried.
1[(2) Any such allowance for the maintenance or interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding shall be payable from the date of the order, or, if so ordered, from the date of the application for maintenance or interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be.]
(3) If any person so ordered fails without sufficient cause to comply with the order, any such Magistrate may, for every breach of the order, issue a warrant for levying the amount due in the manner provided for levying fines, and may sentence such person, for the whole or any part of each month's 2[allowance for the maintenance or the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be,] remaining unpaid after the execution of the warrant, to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or until payment if sooner made:
Provided that no warrant shall be issued for the recovery of any amount due under this section unless application be made to the Court to levy such amount within a period of one year from the date on which it became due:
Provided further that if such person offers to maintain his wife on condition of her living with him, and she refuses to live with him, such Magistrate may consider any grounds of refusal stated by her, and may make an order under this section notwithstanding such offer, if he is satisfied that there is just ground for so doing.
Explanation.- If a husband has contracted marriage with another woman or keeps a mistress, it shall be considered to be just ground for his wife's refusal to live with him.
(4) No wife shall be entitled to receive an 3[allowance for the maintenance or the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be,] from her husband under this section if she is living in adultery, or if, without any sufficient reason, she refuses to live with her husband, or if they are living separately by mutual consent.
(5) On proof that any wife in whose favour an order has been made under this section in living in adultery, or that without sufficient reason she refuses to live with her husband, or that they are living separately by mutual consent.
1. Certain words omitted by Act 50 of 2001, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
2. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
STATE AMENDMENTS
Madhya Pradesh
Amendment of Section 125.- In sub-section (1) of section 125 of the Principal Act, for the words "five hundred rupees" the words "three thousand rupees" shall be substituted [Vide Madhya Pradesh Act, 10 of 1998, s. 3.]
Madhya Pradesh
Amendment of Section 125.- In section 125 of the principal Act,-
(i) for the marginal heading, the following marginal heading shall be substituted, namely:-
"Order for maintenance of wives, children, parents and grand parents."
(ii) In sub-section (1), - (a) after clause (d), the following clause shall be inserted, namely: -
"(e) his grand father, grand mother unable to maintain himself or her self.";
(b) In the existing para, for the words "a Magistrate of the first class may, upon proof of such neglect or refusal, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother at such monthly rate not exceeding three thousand rupees in the whole, as such Magistrate thinks fit, and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct", the words "a Magistrate of the first class may upon proof of such neglect or refusal, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of his wife or such child, father, mother, grand father, grand mother at such monthly rate, as such Magistrate thinks fit, and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct" shall be substituted;
(c) After the existing first proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
"Provided further that the relatives in clause (e) shall only be entitled to monthly allowance for maintenance if their sons daughters are not alive and they are unable to maintain themselves." [Vide Madhya Pradesh Act 15 of 2004, s. 3.]
West Bengal
In Sub-section (1) of section 125 of the Principal Act, -
(1) for the words "five hundred rupees", the words "one thousand and five hundred rupees" shall be substituted;
(2) after the existing proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted:-
"Provided further that where in any proceeding under this section it appears to the Magistrate that the wife referred to in clause (a) or the minor child referred to in clause (b) or the child (not being a married daughter) referred to in clause (c) or the father or the mother referred to in clause (d) is in need of immediate relief for her or its or his support and the necessary expenses of the proceeding, the Magistrate may, on the application of the wife or the minor child or the child (not being a married daughter) or the father or the mother, as the case may be, order the person against whom the allowance for maintenance is claimed, to pay to the petitioner, pending the conclusion of the proceeding, the expenses of the proceeding, and monthly during the proceeding such allowance as, having regard to the income of such person, it may seem to the Magistrate co be reasonable.". [Vide West Bengal Act, 25 of 1992, s. 4.]
West Bengal
In sub-section (1) of section 125 of the principal Act, as amended by the Code of Criminal Procedure (West Bengal Amendment) Act, 1992, the words "not exceeding one thousand and five hundred rupees" the proviso shall be omitted. [Vide West Bengal Act 33 of 2001, s. 3.]
1. Subs. by Act 50 of 2001, s. 2, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "allowance" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001)
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for "allowance" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
Section 126
Procedure
(1) Proceedings under section 125 may be taken against any person in any district-
(a) where he is, or
(b) where he or his wife resides, or
(c) where he last resided with his wife, or as the case may be, with the mother of the illegitimate child.
(2) All evidence in such proceedings shall be taken in the presence of the person against whom an order for payment of maintenance is proposed to be made, or, when his personal attendance is dispensed with, in the presence of his pleader, and shall be recorded in the manner prescribed for summons-cases:
Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that the person against whom an order for payment of maintenance is proposed to be made is wilfully avoiding service, or wilfully neglecting to attend the Court, the Magistrate may proceed to hear and determine the case ex parte and any order so made may be set aside for good cause shown on an application made within three months from the date thereof subject to such terms including terms as to payment of costs to the opposite party as the Magistrate may think just and proper.
(3) The Court in dealing with applications under section 125 shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.
Section 127
Alteration in allowance.
1[(1) On proof of a change in the circumstances of any person, receiving, under section 125 a monthly allowance for the maintenance or interim maintenance, or ordered under the same section to pay a monthly allowance for the maintenance, or interim maintenance, to his wife, child, father or mother, as the case may be, the Magistrate may make such alteration, as he thinks fit, in the allowance for the maintenance or the interim maintenance, as the case may be.]
(2) Where it appears to the Magistrate that, in consequence of any decision of a competent Civil Court, any order made under section 125 should be cancelled or varied, he shall cancel the order or, as the case may be, vary the same accordingly.
(3) Where any order has been made under section 125 in favour of a woman who has been divorced by, or has obtained a divorce from, her husband, the Magistrate shall, if he is satisfied that-
(a) the woman has, after the date of such divorce, remarried, cancel such order as from the date of her remarriage;
(b) the woman has been divorced by her husband and that she has received, whether before or after the date of the said order, the whole of the sum which, under any customary or personal law applicable to the parties, was payable on such divorce, cancel such order,-
(i) in the case where such sum was paid before such order, from the date on which such order was made;
(ii) in any other case, from the date of expiry of the period, if any, for which maintenance has been actually paid by the husband to the woman;
(c) the woman has obtained a divorce from her husband and that she had voluntarily surrendered her rights to 2[maintenance or interim maintenance, as the case may be,] after her divorce, cancel the order from the date thereof.
(4) At the time of making any decree for the recovery of any maintenance or dowry by any person, to whom a 3[monthly allowance for the maintenance and interim maintenance or any of them has been ordered] to be paid under section 125, the Civil Court shall take into account the sum which has been paid to, or recovered by, such person 1[as monthly allowance for the maintenance and interim maintenance or any of them, as the case may be, in pursuance of] the said order.
1. Subs. by Act 50 of 2001, s. 3, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
2. Subs. by Act 50 of 2001, s. 3, for "maintenance" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "monthly allowance has been ordered" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
1. Subs. by Act 50 of 2001, s. 3, for "monthly allowance in pursuance of" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
STATE AMENDMENTS
Madhya Pradesh
Amendment of section 127.- In sub-section (1) of section 127 of the principal Act, for the words "father or mother", the words "father, mother, grand father, grand mother" shall be substituted.
[Vide Madhya Pradesh Act 15 of 2004, s. 4.]
West Bengal
In the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 127 of the principal Act, for the words "five hundred rupees", the words "one thousand and five hundred rupees" shall be substituted. [Vide West Bengal Act 14 of 1995, s. 3.]
West Bengal
In Sub-section (1) of section 127 of the principal Act, the proviso shall be omitted. [Vide West Bengal Act 33 of 2001, s. 4.]
Section 128
Enforcement of order of maintenance.
A copy of the order of 2[maintenance or interim maintenance and expenses of proceedings, as the case may be,] shall be given without payment to the person in whose favour it is made, or to his guardian, if any, or to the person to 3[whom the allowance for the maintenance or the allowance for the interim maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be,] is to be paid; and such order may be enforced by any Magistrate in any place where the person against whom it is made may be, on such Magistrate being satisfied as to the identity of the parties and the non-payment of the 4[allowance, or as the case may be, expenses, due].
2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for "maintenance" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for "whom the allowance" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for "allowance due" (w.e.f. 24-9-2001).
Section
Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force.
A.-Unlawful assemblies
129. Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force.-
(1) Any Executive Magistrate or officer in charge of a police station or, in the absence of such officer in charge, any police officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may command any unlawful assembly, or any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, to disperse; and it shall thereupon be the duty of the members of such assembly to disperse accordingly.
(2) If, upon being so commanded, any such assembly does not disperse, or if, without being so commanded, it conducts itself in such a manner as to show a determination not to disperse, any Executive Magistrate or police officer referred to in sub-section (1), may proceed to disperse such assembly by force, and may require the assistance of any male person, not being an officer or member of the armed forces and acting as such, for the purpose of dispersing such assembly, and, if necessary, arresting and confining the persons who form part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law.
Section 130
Use of armed forces to disperse assembly.
(1) If any such assembly cannot be otherwise dispersed, and if it is necessary for the public security that it should be dispersed, the Executive Magistrate of the highest rank who is present may cause it to be dispersed by the armed forces.
(2) Such Magistrate may require any officer in command of any group of persons belonging to the armed forces to disperse the assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and to arrest and confine such persons forming part of it as the Magistrate may direct, or as it may be necessary to arrest and confine in order to disperse the assembly or to have them punished according to law.
(3) Every such officer of the armed forces shall obey such requisition in such manner as he thinks fit, but in so doing he shall use as little force, and do as little injury to person and property, as may be consistent with dispersing the assembly and arresting and detaining such persons.
Section 131
Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly.
When the public security is manifestly endangered by any such assembly and no Executive Magistrate can be communicated with, any commissioned or gazetted officer of the armed forces may disperse such assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and may arrest and confine any persons forming part of it, in order to disperse such assembly or that they may be punished according to law; but if, while he is acting under this section, it becomes practicable for him to communicate with an Executive Magistrate, he shall do so, and shall thenceforward obey the instructions of the Magistrate, as to whether he shall or shall not continue such action.
Section 132
Protection against prosecution for acts done under preceding sections
(1) No prosecution against any person for any act purporting to be done under section 129, section 130 or section 131 shall be instituted in any Criminal Court except-
(a) with the sanction of the Central Government where such person is an officer or member of the armed forces;
(b) with the sanction of the State Government in any other case.
(2) (a) No Executive Magistrate or police officer acting under any of the said sections in good faith;
(b) no person doing any act in good faith in compliance with a requisition under section 129 or section 130;
(c) no officer of the armed forces acting under section 131 in good faith;
(d) no member of the armed forces doing any act in obedience to any order which he was bound to obey, shall be deemed to have thereby committed an offence.
(3) In this section and in the preceding sections of this Chapter,-
(a) the expression "armed forces" means the military, naval and air forces, operating as land forces and includes any other armed forces of the Union so operating;
(b) "officer", in relation to the armed forces, means a person commissioned, gazetted or in pay as an officer of the armed forces and includes a junior commissioned officer, a warrant officer, a petty officer, a noncommissioned officer and a non-gazetted officer;
(c) "member", in relation to the armed forces, means a person in the armed forces other than an officer.
Section
Conditional order for removal of nuisance.
B.-Public nuisances
133. Conditional order for removal of nuisance.-
(1) Whenever a District Magistrate or a Sub-divisional Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate specially empowered in this behalf by the State Government, on receiving the report of a police officer or other information and on taking such evidence (if any) as he thinks fit, considers-
(a) that any unlawful obstruction or nuisance should be removed from any public place or from any way, river or channel which is or may be lawfully used by the public; or
(b) that the conduct of any trade or occupation, or the keeping of any goods or merchandise, is injurious to the health or physical comfort of the community, and that in consequence such trade or occupation should be prohibited or regulated or such goods or merchandise should be removed or the keeping thereof regulated; or
(c) that the construction of any building, or, the disposal of any substance, as is likely to occasion configuration or explosion, should be prevented or stopped; or
(d) that any building, tent or structure, or any tree is in such a condition that it is likely to fall and thereby cause injury to persons living or carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing by, and that in consequence the removal, repair or support of such building, tent or structure, or the removal or support of such tree, is necessary; or
(e) that any tank, well or excavation adjacent to any such way or public place should be fenced in such manner as to prevent danger arising to the public; or
(f) that any dangerous animal should be destroyed, confined or otherwise disposed of, such Magistrate may make a conditional order requiring the person causing such obstruction or nuisance, or carrying on such trade or occupation, or keeping any such goods or merchandise, or owning, possessing or controlling such building, tent, structure, substance, tank, well or excavation, or owning or possessing such animal or tree, within a time to be fixed in the order-
(i) to remove such obstruction or nuisance; or
(ii) to desist from carrying on, or to remove or regulate in such manner as may be directed, such trade or occupation, or to remove such goods or merchandise, or to regulate the keeping thereof in such manner as may be directed; or
(iii) to prevent or stop the construction of such building, or to alter the disposal of such substance; or
(iv) to remove, repair or support such building, tent or structure, or to remove or support such trees; or
(v) to fence such tank, well or excavation; or
(vi) to destroy, confine or dispose of such dangerous animal in the manner provided in the said order, or, if he objects so to do, to appear before himself or some other Executive Magistrate subordinate to him at a time and place to be fixed by the order, and show cause, in the manner hereinafter provided, why the order should not be made absolute.
(2) No order duly made by a Magistrate under this section shall be called in question in any Civil Court.
Explanation.-A "public place" includes also property belonging to the State, camping grounds and grounds left unoccupied for sanitary or recreative purposes.
Section 134
Service or notification of order.
(1) The order shall, if practicable, be served on the person against whom it is made, in the manner herein provided for service of a summons.
(2) If such order cannot be so served, it shall be notified by proclamation, published in such manner as the State Government may, by rules, direct, and a copy thereof shall be struck up at such place or places as may be fittest for conveying the information to such person.
Section 135
Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause.
The person against whom such order is made shall-
(a) perform, within the time and in the manner specified in the order, the act directed thereby; or
(b) appear in accordance with such order and show cause against the same.
Section 136
Consequences of his failing to do so.
If such person does not perform such act or appear and show cause, he shall be liable to the penalty prescribed in that behalf in section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and the order shall be made absolute.
Section 137
Procedure where existence of public right is denied.
(1) Where an order is made under section 133 for the purpose of preventing obstruction, nuisance or danger to the public in the use of any way, river, channel or place, the Magistrate shall, on the appearance before him of the person against whom the order was made, question him as to whether he denies the existence of any public right in respect of the way, river, channel or place, and if he does so, the Magistrate shall, before proceeding under section 138, inquire into the matter.
(2) If in such inquiry the Magistrate finds that there is any reliable evidence in support of such denial, he shall stay the proceedings until the matter of the existence of such right has been decided by a competent Court; and, if he finds that there is no such evidence, he shall proceed as laid down in section 138.
(3) A person who has, on being questioned by the Magistrate under sub-section (1), failed to deny the existence of a public right of the nature therein referred to, or who, having made such denial, has failed to adduce reliable evidence in support thereof, shall not in the subsequent proceedings be permitted to make any such denial.
Section 138
Procedure where he appears to show cause.
(1) If the person against whom an order under section 133 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.
Section 139
Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert.
The Magistrate may, for the purposes of an inquiry under section 137 or section 138-
(a) direct a local investigation to be made by such person as he thinks fit; or
(b) summon and examine an expert.
Section 140
Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc.
(1) Where the Magistrate directs a local investigation by any person under section 139, the Magistrate may-
(a) furnish such person with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance;
(b) declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the local investigation shall be paid.
(2) The report of such person may be read as evidence in the case.
(3) Where the Magistrate summons and examines an expert under section 139, the Magistrate may direct by whom the costs of such summoning and examination shall be paid.
Section 141
Procedure on order being made absolute and consequences of disobedience.
(1) When an order has been made absolute under section 136 or section 138, the Magistrate shall give notice of the same to the person against whom the order was made, and shall further require him to perform the act directed by the order within a time to be fixed in the notice, and inform him that, in case of disobedience, he will be liable to the penalty provided by section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(2) If such act is not performed within the time fixed, the Magistrate may cause it to be performed, and may recover the costs of performing it, either by the sale of any building, goods or other property removed by his order, or by the distress and sale of any other movable property of such person within or without such Magistrate's local jurisdiction, and if such other property is without such jurisdiction, the order shall authorise its attachment and sale when endorsed by the Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction the property to be attached is found.
(3) No suit shall lie in respect of anything done in good faith under this section.
Section 142
Injunction pending inquiry.
(1) If a Magistrate making an order under section 133 considers that immediate measures should be taken to prevent imminent danger or injury of a serious kind to the public, he may issue such an injunction to the person against whom the order was made, as is required to obviate or prevent such danger or injury pending the determination of the matter.
(2) In default of such person forthwith obeying such injunction, the Magistrate may himself use, or cause to be used, such means as he thinks fit to obviate such danger or to prevent such injury.
(3) No suit shall lie in respect of anything done in good faith by a Magistrate under this section.
Section 143
Magistrate may prohibit repetition or continuance of public nuisance.
A District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate, or any other Executive Magistrate empowered by the State Government or the District Magistrate in this behalf, may order any person not to repeat or continue a public nuisance, as defined in the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), or any special or local law.
Section
Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger .
C.-Urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger
144. Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger .-
(1) In cases where, in the opinion of a District Magistrate, a Sub-divisional Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf, there is sufficient ground for proceeding under this section and immediate prevention or speedy remedy is desirable, such Magistrate may, by a written order stating the material facts of the case and served in the manner provided by section 134, direct any person to abstain from a certain act or to take certain order with respect to certain property in his possession or under his management, if such Magistrate considers that such direction is likely to prevent, or tends to prevent, obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety or a disturbance of the public tranquillity, or a riot, or an affray.
(2) An order under this section may, in cases of emergency or in cases where the circumstances do not admit of the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, be passed ex parte.
(3) An order under this section may be directed to a particular individual, or to persons residing in a particular place or area, or to the public generally when frequenting or visiting a particular place or area.
(4) No order under this section shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof:
Provided that, if the State Government considers it necessary so to do for preventing danger to human life, health or safety or for preventing a riot or any affray, it may, by notification, direct that an order made by a Magistrate under this section shall remain in force for such further period not exceeding six months from the date on which the order made by the Magistrate would have, but for such order, expired, as it may specify in the said notification.
(5) Any Magistrate may, either on his own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter any order made under this section, by himself or any Magistrate subordinate to him or by his predecessor-in-office.
(6) The State Government may, either on its own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter any order made by it under the proviso to sub-section (4).
(7) Where an application under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6) is received, the Magistrate, or the State Government, as the case may be, shall afford to the applicant an early opportunity of appearing before him or it, either in person or by pleader and showing cause against the order; and if the Magistrate or the State Government, as the case may be, rejects the application wholly or in part, he or it shall record in writing the reasons for so doing.
1[144A. Power to prohibit carrying arms in procession or mass drill or mass training with arms.-
(1) The District Magistrate may, whenever he considers it necessary so to do for the preservation of public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, by public notice or by order, prohibit in any area within the local limits of his jurisdiction, the carrying of arms in any procession or the organising or holding of, or taking part in, any mass drill or mass training with arms in any public place.
(2) A public notice issued or an order made under this section may be directed to a particular person or to persons belonging to any community, party or organisation.
(3) No public notice issued or an order made under this section shall remain in force for more than three months from the date on which it is issued or made.
(4) The State Government may, if it considers necessary so to do for the preservation of public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, by notification, direct that a public notice issued or order made by the District Magistrate under this section shall remain in force for such further period not exceeding six months from the date on which such public notice or order was issued or made by the District Magistrate would have, but for such direction, expired, as it may specify in the said notification.
(5) The State Government may, subject to such control and directions as it may deem fit to impose, by general or special order, delegate its powers under sub-section (4) to the District Magistrate.
Explanation.-The word "arms" shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 153AA of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).]
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 16 (date yet to be notified, see appendix)
Section
Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace.
D.-Disputes as to immovable property
145. Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace.-
(1) Whenever an Executive Magistrate is satisfied from a report of a police officer or upon other information that a dispute likely to cause a breach of the peace exists concerning any land or water or the boundaries thereof, within his local jurisdiction, he shall make an order in writing, stating the grounds of his being so satisfied, and requiring the parties concerned in such dispute to attend his Court in person or by pleader, on a specified date and time, and to put in written statements of their respective claims as respects the fact of actual possession of the subject of dispute.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the expression "land or water" includes buildings, markets, fisheries, crops or other produce of land, and the rents or profits of any such property.
(3) A copy of the order shall be served in the manner provided by this Code for the service of a summons upon such person or persons as the Magistrate may direct, and at least one copy shall be published by being affixed to some conspicuous place at or near the subject of dispute.
(4) The Magistrate shall then, without reference to the merits or the claims of any of the parties to a right to possess the subject of dispute, persue the statements so put in, hear the parties, receive all such evidence as may be produced by them, take such further evidence, if any, as he thinks necessary, and, if possible, decide whether any and which of the parties was, at the date of the order made by him under sub-section (1), in possession of the subject of dispute:
Provided that if it appears to the Magistrate that any party has been forcibly and wrongfully dispossessed within two months next before the date on which the report of a police officer or other information was received by the Magistrate, or after that date and before the date of his order under sub-section (1), he may treat the party so dispossessed as if that party had been in possession on the date of his order under sub-section (1).
(5) Nothing in this section shall preclude any party so required to attend, or any other person interested, from showing that no such dispute as aforesaid exists or has existed; and in such case the Magistrate shall cancel his said order, and all further proceedings thereon shall be stayed, but, subject to such cancellation, the order of the Magistrate under sub-section (1) shall be final.
(6) (a) If the Magistrate decides that one of the parties was, or should under the proviso to subsection (4) be treated as being, in such possession of the said subject, he shall issue an order declaring such party to be entitled to possession thereof until evicted therefrom in due course of law, and forbidding all disturbance of such possession until such eviction; and when he proceeds under the proviso to sub-section (4), may restore to possession the party forcibly and wrongfully dispossessed.
(b) The order made under this sub-section shall be served and published in the manner laid down in sub-section (3).
(7) When any party to any such proceeding dies, the Magistrate may cause the legal representative of the deceased party to be made a party to the proceeding and shall thereupon continue the inquiry, and if any question arises as to who the legal representative of a deceased party for the purposes of such proceeding is, all persons claiming to be representatives of the deceased party shall be made parties thereto.
(8) If the Magistrate is of opinion that any crop or other produce of the property, the subject of dispute in a proceeding under this section pending before him, is subject to speedy and natural decay, he may make an order for the proper custody or sale of such property, and, upon the completion of the inquiry, shall make such order for the disposal of such property, or the sale-proceeds thereof, as he thinks fit.
(9) The Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, at any stage of the proceedings under this section, on the application of either party, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to produce any document or thing.
(10) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to be in derogation of powers of the Magistrate to proceed under section 107.
Section 146
Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver.
(1) If the Magistrate at any time after making the order under sub-section (1) of section 145 considers the case to be one of emergency, or if he decides that none of the parties was then in such possession as is referred to in section 145, or if he is unable to satisfy himself as to which of them was then in such possession of the subject of dispute, he may attach the subject of dispute until a competent Court has determined the rights of the parties thereto with regard to the person entitled to the possession thereof:
Provided that such Magistrate may withdraw the attachment at any time if he is satisfied that there is no longer any likelihood of breach of the peace with regard to the subject of dispute.
(2) When the Magistrate attaches the subject of dispute, he may, if no receiver in relation to such subject of dispute has been appointed by any Civil Court, make such arrangements as he considers proper for looking after the property or if he thinks fit, appoint a receiver thereof, who shall have, subject to the control of the Magistrate, all the powers of a receiver appointed under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908):
Provided that in the event of a receiver being subsequently appointed in relation to the subject of dispute by any Civil Court, the Magistrate-
(a) shall order the receiver appointed by him to hand over the possession of the subject of dispute to the receiver appointed by the Civil Court and shall thereafter discharge the receiver appointed by him;
(b) may make such other incidental or consequential orders as may be just.
Section 147
Dispute concerning right of use of land or water.
(1) Whenever an Executive Magistrate is satisfied from the report of a police officer or upon other information, that a dispute likely to cause a breach of the peace exists regarding any alleged right of user of any land or water within his local jurisdiction, whether such right be claimed as an easement or otherwise, he shall make an order in writing, stating the grounds of his being so satisfied and requiring the parties concerned in such dispute to attend his Court in person or by pleader on a specified date and time and to put in written statements of their respective claims.
Explanation.- The expression "land or water" has the meaning given to it in sub-section (2) of section 145.
(2) The Magistrate shall then persue the statements so put in, hear the parties, receive all such evidence as may be produced by them respectively, consider the effect of such evidence, take such further evidence, if any, as he thinks necessary and, if possible, decide whether such right exists; and the provisions of section 145 shall, so far as may be, apply in the case of such inquiry.
(3) If it appears to such Magistrate that such rights exist, he may make an order prohibiting any interference with the exercise of such right, including, in a proper case, an order for the removal of any obstruction in the exercise of any such right:
Provided that no such order shall be made where the right is exercisable at all times of the year, unless such right has been exercised within three months next before the receipt under sub-section (1) of the report of a police officer or other information leading to the institution of the inquiry, or where the right is exercisable only at particular seasons or on particular occasions, unless the right has been exercised during the last of such seasons or on the last of such occasions before such receipt.
(4) When in any proceedings commenced under sub-section (1) of section 145 the Magistrate finds that the dispute is as regards an alleged right of user of land or water, he may, after recording his reasons, continue with the proceedings as if they had been commenced under sub-section (1), and when in any proceedings commenced under sub-section (1) the magistrate finds that the dispute should be dealt with under section 145, he may, after recording his reasons, continue with the proceedings as if they had been commenced under sub-section (1) of section 145.
Section 148
Local inquiry.
(1) Whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of section 145, section 146 or section 147, a District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to make the inquiry, and may furnish him with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance, and may declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the inquiry shall be paid.
(2) The report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case.
(3) When any costs have been incurred by any party to a proceeding under section 145, section 146 or section 147, the Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom such costs shall be paid, whether by such party or by any other party to the proceeding, and whether in whole or in part or proportion and such costs may include any expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of pleaders' fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.
Section 149
Police to prevent cognizable offences.
Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing, and shall, to the best of his ability, prevent, the commission of any cognizable offence.
Section 150
Information of design to commit cognizable offences.
Every police officer receiving information of a design to commit any cognizable offence shall communicate such information to the police officer to whom he is subordinate, and to any other officer whose duty it is to prevent or take cognizance of the commission of any such offence.
Section 151
Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.
(1) A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.
(2) No person arrested under sub-section (1) shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law for the time being in force.
Section 152
Prevention of injury to public property.
A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his view to any public property, movable or immovable, or the removal or injury of any public landmark or buoy or other mark used for navigation.
Section 153
Inspection of weights and measures.
(1) Any officer in charge of a police station may, without a warrant, enter any place within the limits of such station for the purpose of inspecting or searching for any weights or measures or instruments for weighing, used or kept therein, whenever he has reason to believe that there are in such place any weights, measures or instruments for weighing which are false.
(2) If he finds in such place any weights, measures or instruments for weighing which are false, he may seize the same, and shall forthwith give information of such seizure to a Magistrate having jurisdiction.
Section 154
Information in cognizable cases.
(1) Every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence, if given orally to an officer in charge of a police station, shall be reduced to writing by him or under his direction, and be read over to the informant; and every such information, whether given in writing or reduced to writing as aforesaid, shall be signed by the person giving it, and the substance thereof shall be entered in a book to be kept by such officer in such form as the State Government may prescribe in this behalf:
1[Provided that if the information is given by the woman against whom an offence under section 326A, section 326B, section 354, section 354A, section 354B, section 354C, section 354D, section 376, 2[section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB], section 376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) is alleged to have been committed or attempted, then such information shall be recorded, by a woman police officer or any woman officer:
Provided further that-
(a) in the event that the person against whom an offence under section 354, section 354A, section 354B, section 354C, section 354D, section 376, 1[section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB], section 376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) is alleged to have been committed or attempted, is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, then such information shall be recorded by a police officer, at the residence of the person seeking to report such offence or at a convenient place of such person's choice, in the presence of an interpreter or a special educator, as the case may be;
(b) the recording of such information shall be video graphed;
(c) the police officer shall get the statement of the person recorded by a Judicial Magistrate under clause (a) of sub-section (5A) of section 164 as soon as possible.]
(2) A copy of the information as recorded under sub-section (1) shall be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant.
(3) Any person aggrieved by a refusal on the part of an officer in charge of a police station to record the information referred to in sub-section (1) may send the substance of such information, in writing and by post, to the Superintendent of Police concerned who, if satisfied that such information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, shall either investigate the case himself or direct an investigation to be made by any police officer subordinate to him, in the manner provided by this Code, and such officer shall have all the powers of an officer in charge of the police station in relation to that offence.
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh
In first proviso to sub-section (1) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (here-in-after referred to as the Code) for the words and figure "or section 509" the words, figures, letters and punctuations, " section 509, section 509A or section 509B" shall be substituted. [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 25 of 2015, s. 7.]
1. Ins. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 13 (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 11, for "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D" (w.e.f. 21-4-2019).
Section 155
Information as to non-cognizable cases and investigation of such cases.
(1) When information is given to an officer in charge of a police station of the commission within the limits of such station of a non-cognizable offence, he shall enter or cause to be entered the substance of the information in a book to be kept by such officer in such form as the State Government may prescribe in this behalf, and refer the informant to the Magistrate.
(2) No police officer shall investigate a non-cognizable case without the order of a Magistrate having power to try such case or commit the case for trial.
(3) Any police officer receiving such order may exercise the same powers in respect of the investigation (except the power to arrest without warrant) as an officer in charge of a police station may exercise in a cognizable case.
(4) Where a case relates to two or more offences of which at least one is cognizable, the case shall be deemed to be a cognizable case, notwithstanding that the other offences are non-cognizable.
Section 156
Police officer's power to investigate cognizable case.
(1) Any officer in charge of a police station may, without the order of a Magistrate, investigate any cognizable case which a Court having jurisdiction over the local area within the limits of such station would have power to inquire into or try under the provisions of Chapter XIII.
(2) No proceeding of a police officer in any such case shall at any stage be called in question on the ground that the case was one which such officer was not empowered under this section to investigate.
(3) Any Magistrate empowered under section 190 may order such an investigation as above-mentioned.
STATE AMENDMENT
Maharashtra
Amendment of section 156.- In section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, (2 of 1974) in its application to the State of Maharashtra (Hereinafter referred to as "the said Code"), after sub-section (3), the following provisos shall be added, namely:-
"Provided that, no Magistrate shall order an investigation under this section against a person who is or was a public servant as defined under any other law for the time being in force, in respect of the act done by such public servant while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties, except with the previous sanction under section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or under any law for the time being in force:
Provided further that, the sanctioning authority shall take a decision within a period of ninety days from the date of the receipt of the proposal for sanction and in case the sanctioning authority fails to take the decision within the said stipulated period of ninety days, the sanction shall be deemed to have been accorded by the sanctioning authority.". [Vide Maharashtra Act 33 of 2016, s. 2.]
Section 157
Procedure for investigation.
(1) If, from information received or otherwise, an officer in charge of a police station has reason to suspect the commission of an offence which he is empowered under section 156 to investigate, he shall forthwith send a report of the same to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of such offence upon a police report and shall proceed in person, or shall depute one of his subordinate officers not being below such rank as the State Government may, by general or special order, prescribe in this behalf, to proceed, to the spot, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and, if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender:
Provided that-
(a) when information as to the commission of any such offence is given against any person by name and the case is not of a serious nature, the officer in charge of a police station need not proceed in person or depute a subordinate officer to make an investigation on the spot;
(b) if it appears to the officer in charge of a police station that there is no sufficient ground for entering on an investigation, he shall not investigate the case.
1[Provided further that in relation to an offence of rape, the recording of statement of the victim shall be conducted at the residence of the victim or in the place of her choice and as far as practicable by a woman police officer in the presence of her parents or guardian or near relatives or social worker of the locality.]
(2) In each of the cases mentioned in clauses (a) and (b) of the proviso to sub-section (1), the officer in charge of the police station shall state in his report his reasons for not fully complying with the requirements of that subsection, and, in the case mentioned in clause (b) of the said proviso, the officer shall also forthwith notify to the informant, if any, in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government, the fact that he will not investigate the case or cause it to be investigated.
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2009, s.11 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
Section 158
Report how submitted.
(1) Every report sent to a Magistrate under section 157 shall, if the State Government so directs, be submitted through such superior officer of police as the State Government, by general or special order, appoints in that behalf.
(2) Such superior officer may give such instructions to the officer in charge of the police station as he thinks fit, and shall, after recording such instructions on such report, transmit the same without delay to the Magistrate.
Section 159
Power to hold investigation or preliminary inquiry.
Such Magistrate, on receiving such report, may direct an investigation, or, if he thinks fit, at once proceed, or depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to proceed, to hold a preliminary inquiry into, or otherwise to dispose of, the case in the manner provided in this Code.
Section 160
Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses.
(1) Any police officer making an investigation under this Chapter may, by order in writing, require the attendance before himself of any person being within the limits of his own or any adjoining station who, from the information given or otherwise, appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case; and such person shall attend as so required:
Provided that no male person 2[under the age of fifteen years or above the age of sixty-five years or a woman or a mentally or physically disabled person] shall be required to attend at any place other than the place in which such male person or woman resides.
(2) The State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, provide for the payment by the police officer of the reasonable expenses of every person, attending under sub-section (1) at any place other than his residence.
2. Subs. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 14, for "under the age of fifteen years or woman" (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).
Section 161
Examination of witnesses by police.
(1) Any police officer making an investigation under this Chapter, or any police officer not below such rank as the State Government may, by general or special order, prescribe in this behalf, acting on the requisition of such officer, may examine orally any person supposed to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case.
(2) Such person shall be bound to answer truly all questions relating to such case put to him by such officer, other than questions the answers to which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or to a penalty or forfeiture.
(3) The police officer may reduce into writing any statement made to him in the course of an examination under this section; and if he does so, he shall make a separate and true record of the statement of each such person whose statement he records.
1[Provided that statement made under this sub-section may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means:]
2[Provided further that the statement of a woman against whom an offence under section 354, section 354A, section 354B, section 354C, section 354D, section 376, 3[section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB], section 376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) is alleged to have been committed or attempted shall be recorded, by a woman police officer or any woman officer.]
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 12 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
2. Ins. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 15 (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).
3. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 12, for "section 376A section 376B, section 376C, section 376D" (w.e.f. 22-4-2018).
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh
The second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 161 of the Code, shall be substituted with the following proviso, namely: -
Provided further that statement of the woman against whom an offence under section 354, section 354A, section 354B, section 354C, section 354D, section 354E, section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376E, section 509, section 509A or section 509B of the Indian Penal Code, is alleged to have been committed or attempted, shall be recorded, as far as possible, by woman police officer and shall also be recorded by audio-video means, as far as possible, and it shall be the duty of such police officer to take all such steps as are necessary to protect the identity of the woman. [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 25 of 2015, s. 8]
Section 162
Statements to police not to be signed: Use of statements in evidence.
(1) No statement made by any person to a police officer in the course of an investigation under this Chapter, shall, if reduced to writing, be signed by the person making it; nor shall any such statement or any record thereof, whether in a police diary or otherwise, or any part of such statement or record, be used for any purpose, save as hereinafter provided, at any inquiry or trial in respect of any offence under investigation at the time when such statement was made:
Provided that when any witness is called for the prosecution in such inquiry or trial whose statement has been reduced into writing as aforesaid, any part of his statement, if duly proved, may be used by the accused, and with the permission of the Court, by the prosecution, to contradict such witness in the manner provided by section 145 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872); and when any part of such statement is so used, any part thereof may also be used in the re-examination of such witness, but for the purpose only of explaining any matter referred to in his crossexamination.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any statement falling within the provisions of clause (1) of section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872); or to affect the provisions of section 27 of that Act.
Explanation.- An omission to state a fact or circumstance in the statement referred to in sub-section (1) may amount to contradiction if the same appears to be significant and otherwise relevant having regard to the context in which such omission occurs and whether any omission amounts to a contradiction in the particular context shall be a question of fact.
Section 163
No inducement to be offered.
(1) No police officer or other person in authority shall offer or make, or cause to be offered or made, any such inducement, threat or promise as is mentioned in section 24 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872).
(2) But no police officer or other person shall prevent, by any caution or otherwise, any person from making in the course of any investigation under this Chapter any statement which he may be disposed to make of his own free will: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall affect the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 164.
Section 164
Recording of confessions and statements.
(1) Any Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate may, whether or not he has jurisdiction in the case, record any confession or statement made to him in the course of an investigation under this Chapter or under any other law for the time being in force, or at any time afterwards before the commencement of the inquiry or trial:
1[Provided that any confession or statement made under this sub-section may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means in the presence of the advocate of the person accused of an offence:
Provided further that no confession shall be recorded by a police officer on whom any power of a Magistrate has been conferred under any law for the time being in force.]
(2) The Magistrate shall, before recording any such confession, explain to the person making it that he is not bound to make a confession and that, if he does so, it may be used as evidence against him; and the Magistrate shall not record any such confession unless, upon questioning the person making it, he has reason to believe that it is being made voluntarily.
(3) If at any time before the confession is recorded, the person appearing before the Magistrate states that he is not willing to make the confession, the Magistrate shall not authorise the detention of such person in police custody.
(4) Any such confession shall be recorded in the manner provided in section 281 for recording the examination of an accused person and shall be signed by the person making the confession; and the Magistrate shall make a memorandum at the foot of such record to the following effect:-
"I have explained to (name) that he is not bound to make a confession and that, if he does so, any confession he may make may be used as evidence against him and I believe that this confession was voluntarily made. It was taken in my presence and hearing, and was read over to the person making it and admitted by him to be correct, and it contains a full and true account of the statement made by him. (Signed) A. B. Magistrate."
(5) Any statement (other than a confession) made under sub-section (1) shall be recorded in such manner hereinafter provided for the recording of evidence as is, in the opinion of the Magistrate, best fitted to the circumstances of the case; and the Magistrate shall have power to administer oath to the person whose statement is so recorded. 2[(5A) (a) In cases punishable under section 354, section 354A, section 354B, section 354C, section 354D, sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 376, 3[section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB,] section 376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the Judicial Magistrate shall record the statement of the person against whom such offence has been committed in the manner prescribed in sub-section (5), as soon as the commission of the offence is brought to the notice of the police:
Provided that if the person making the statement is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, the Magistrate shall take the assistance of an interpreter or a special educator in recording the statement:
Provided further that if the person making the statement is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, the statement made by the person, with the assistance of an interpreter or a special educator, shall be video graphed.
(b) A statement recorded under clause (a) of a person, who is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, shall be considered a statement in lieu of examination-in-chief, as specified in section 137 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) such that the maker of the statement can be cross-examined on such statement, without the need for recording the same at the time of trial.]
(6) The Magistrate recording a confession or statement under this section shall forward it to the Magistrate by whom the case is to be inquired into or tried.
1. Subs. by Act 5 of 2009, s.13 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
2. Ins. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 16 (w.e.f. 13-3-2013).
3. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 13, for "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D" (w.e.f. 22-4-2018).
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh
In clause (a) of sub-section (5A) of Section 164 of the Code, for the words and figures "or section 509" the punctuation, words and figures, "section 376F, section 509, section 509A or section 509B" shall be substituted. [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 25 of 2015, s. 9]
Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep
After sub-section (1) of section 164, the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely: -
"(1A) Where; in any island, there is no Judicial Magistrate for the time being, and the State Government is of opinion that it is necessary and expedient so to do, that Government may, after consulting the High Court, specially empower any Executive Magistrate (not being a police officer), to exercise the powers conferred by sub-section (1) on a Judicial Magistrate, and thereupon references in section 164 to a Judicial Magistrate shall be construed as references to the Executive Magistrate so empowered."; [Vide The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Regulation, 1974 Act (1 of 1974), s. 5.]
1[164A. Medical examination of the victim of rape.-
(1) Where, during the stage when an offence of committing rape or attempt to commit rape is under investigation, it is proposed to get the person of the woman with whom rape is alleged or attempted to have been committed or attempted, examined by a medical expert, such examination shall be conducted by a registered medical practitioner employed in a hospital run by the Government or a local authority and in the absence of such a practitioner, by any other registered medical practitioner, with the consent of such woman or of a person competent to give such consent on her behalf and such woman shall be sent to such registered medical practitioner within twenty-four hours from the time of receiving the information relating to the commission of such offence.
(2) The registered medical practitioner, to whom such woman is sent, shall, without delay, examine her person and prepare a report of his examination giving the following particulars, namely:-
(i) the name and address of the woman and of the person by whom she was brought;
(ii) the age of the woman;
(iii) the description of material taken from the person of the woman for DNA profiling;
(iv) marks of injury, if any, on the person of the woman;
(v) general mental condition of the woman; and
(vi) other material particulars in reasonable detail.
(3) The report shall state precisely the reasons for each conclusion arrived at.
(4) The report shall specifically record that the consent of the woman or of the person competent to give such consent on her behalf to such examination had been obtained.
(5) The exact time of commencement and completion of the examination shall also be noted in the report.
(6) The registered medical practitioner shall, without delay forward the report to the investigating officer who shall forward it to the Magistrate referred to in section 173 as part of the documents referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (5) of that section.
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as rendering lawful any examination without the consent of the woman or of any person competent to give such consent on her behalf.
Explanation.-For the purposes of this section, "examination" and "registered medical practitioner" shall have the same meanings as in section 53.]
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 17 (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh
In Section 164A, except explanation clause, of the Code, for the words "registered medical practitioner", where it occurs for the first time, the words "female registered medical practitioner" shall be substituted. [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 25 of 2015 s. 10.]
Section 165
Search by police officer.
(1) Whenever an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making an investigation has reasonable grounds for believing that anything necessary for the purposes of an investigation into any offence which he is authorised to investigate may be found in any place within the limits of the police station of which he is in charge, or to which he is attached, and that such thing cannot in his opinion be otherwise obtained without undue delay, such officer may, after recording in writing the grounds of his belief and specifying in such writing, so far as possible, the thing for which search is to be made, search, or cause search to be made, for such thing in any place within the limits of such station.
(2) A police officer proceeding under sub-section (1), shall, if practicable, conduct the search in person.
(3) If he is unable to conduct the search in person, and there is no other person competent to make the search present at the time, he may, after recording in writing his reasons for so doing, require any officer subordinate to him to make the search, and he shall deliver to such subordinate officer an order in writing, specifying the place to be searched, and so far as possible, the thing for which search is to be made; and such subordinate officer may thereupon search for such thing in such place.
(4) The provisions of this Code as to search-warrants and the general provisions as to searches contained in section 100 shall, so far as may be, apply to a search made under this section.
(5) Copies of any record made under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) shall forthwith be sent to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, and the owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished, free of cost, with a copy of the same by the Magistrate.
Section 166
Letter of request from a country or place outside India to a Court or an authority for investigation in India
(1) An officer in charge of a police station or a police officer not being below the rank of sub-inspector making an investigation may require an officer in charge of another police station, whether in the same or a different district, to cause a search to be made in any place, in any case in which the former officer might cause such search to be made, within the limits of his own station.
(2) Such officer, on being so required, shall proceed according to the provisions of section 165, and shall forward the thing found, if any, to the officer at whose request the search was made.
(3) Whenever there is reason to believe that the delay occasioned by requiring an officer in charge of another police station to cause a search to be made under sub-section (1) might result in evidence of the commission of an offence being concealed or destroyed, it shall be lawful for an officer in charge of a police station or a police officer making any investigation under this Chapter to search, or cause to be searched, any place in the limits of another police station in accordance with the provisions of section 165, as if such place were within the limits of his own police station.
(4) Any officer conducting a search under sub-section (3) shall forthwith send notice of the search to the officer in charge of the police station within the limits of which such place is situate, and shall also send with such notice a copy of the list (if any) prepared under section 100, and shall also send to the nearest Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence, copies of the records referred to in sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 165.
(5) The owner or occupier of the place searched shall, on application, be furnished free of cost with a copy of any record sent to the Magistrate under sub-section (4).
1[166A. Letter of request to competent authority for investigation in a country or place outside India.-
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code, if, in the course of an investigation into an offence, an application is made by the investigating officer or any officer superior in rank to the investigating officer that evidence may be available in a country or place outside India, any Criminal Court may issue a letter of request to a Court or an authority in that country or place competent to deal with such request to examine orally any person supposed to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case and to record his statement made in the course of such examination and also to require such person or any other person to produce any document or thing which may be in his possession pertaining to the case and to forward all the evidence so taken or collected or the authenticated copies thereof or the thing so collected to the Court issuing such letter.
(2) The letter of request shall be transmitted in such manner as the Central Government may specify in this behalf.
(3) Every statement recorded or document or thing received under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be the evidence collected during the course of investigation under this Chapter.
1. Ins. by Act 10 of 1990, s. 2 (w.e.f. 19-12-1990).
166B. Letter of request from a country or place outside India to a Court or an authority for investigation in India.-
(1) Upon receipt of a letter of request from a Court or an authority in a country or place outside India competent to issue such letter in that country or place for the examination of any person or production of any document or thing in relation to an offence under investigation in that country or place, the Central Government may, if it thinks fit-
(i) forward the same to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate or such Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate as he may appoint in this behalf, who shall thereupon summon the person before him and record his statement or cause the document or thing to be produced; or
(ii) send the letter to any police officer for investigation, who shall thereupon investigate into the offence in the same manner, as if the offence had been committed within India.
(2) All the evidence taken or collected under sub-section (1), or authenticated copies thereof or the thing so collected, shall be forwarded by the Magistrate or police officer, as the case may be, to the Central Government for transmission to the Court or the authority issuing the letter of request, in such manner as the Central Government may deem fit.]
Section 167
Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in twenty-four hours.
(1) Whenever any person is arrested and detained in custody, and it appears that the investigation cannot be completed within the period of twenty-four hours fixed by section 57, and there are grounds for believing that the accusation or information is wellfounded, the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, if he is not below the rank of sub-inspector, shall forthwith transmit to the nearest Judicial Magistrate a copy of the entries in the diary hereinafter prescribed relating to the case, and shall at the same time forward the accused to such Magistrate.
(2) The Magistrate to whom an accused person is forwarded under this section may, whether he has or has not jurisdiction to try the case, from time to time, authorise the detention of the accused in such custody as such Magistrate thinks fit, for a term not exceeding fifteen days in the whole; and if he has no jurisdiction to try the case or commit it for trial, and considers further detention unnecessary, he may order the accused to be forwarded to a Magistrate having such jurisdiction:
Provided that-
2[(a) the Magistrate may authorise the detention of the accused person, otherwise than in custody of the police, beyond the period of fifteen days, if he is satisfied that adequate grounds exist for doing so, but no Magistrate shall authorise the detention of the accused person in custody under this paragraph for a total period exceeding-
(i) ninety days, where the investigation relates to an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years;
(ii) sixty days, where the investigation relates to any other offence, and, on the expiry of the said period of ninety days, or sixty days, as the case may be, the accused person shall be released on bail if he is prepared to and does furnish bail, and every person released on bail under this sub-section shall be deemed to be so released under the provisions of Chapter XXXIII for the purposes of that Chapter;]
1[(b) no Magistrate shall authorise detention of the accused in custody of the police under this section unless the accused is produced before him in person for the first time and subsequently every time till the accused remains in the custody of the police, but the Magistrate may extend further detention in judicial custody on production of the accused either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage;]
(c) no Magistrate of the second class, not specially empowered in this behalf by the High Court, shall authorise detention in the custody of the police.
2[Explanation I.-For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that, notwithstanding the expiry of the period specified in paragraph (a), the accused shall be detained in custody so long as he does not furnish bail.]
3[Explanation II.-If any question arises whether an accused person was produced before the Magistrate as required under clause (b), the production of the accused person may be proved by his signature on the order authorising detention or by the order certified by the Magistrate as to production of the accused person through the medium of electronic video linkage, as the case may be.]
4[Provided further that in case of a woman under eighteen years of age, the detention shall be authorised to be in the custody of a remand home or recognised social institution.]
5[(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, if he is not below the rank of a sub-inspector, may, where a Judicial Magistrate is not available, transmit to the nearest Executive Magistrate, on whom the powers of a Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate have been conferred, a copy of the entry in the diary hereinafter prescribed relating to the case, and shall, at the same time, forward the accused to such Executive Magistrate, and thereupon such Executive Magistrate, may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, authorise the detention of the accused person in such custody as he may think fit for a term not exceeding seven days in the aggregate; and, on the expiry of the period of detention so authorised, the accused person shall be released on bail except where an order for further detention of the accused person has been made by a Magistrate competent to make such order; and, where an order for such further detention is made, the period during which the accused person was detained in custody under the orders made by an Executive Magistrate under this sub-section, shall be taken into account in computing the period specified in paragraph (a) of the proviso to sub-section (2):
Provided that before the expiry of the period aforesaid, the Executive Magistrate shall transmit to the nearest Judicial Magistrate the records of the case together with a copy of the entries in the diary relating to the case which was transmitted to him by the officer in charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation, as the case may be.]
(3) A Magistrate authorising under this section detention in the custody of the police shall record his reasons for so doing.
(4) Any Magistrate other than the Chief Judicial Magistrate making such order shall forward a copy of his order, with his reasons for making it, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(5) If in any case triable by a Magistrate as a summons-case, the investigation is not concluded within a period of six months from the date on which the accused was arrested, the Magistrate shall make an order stopping further investigation into the offence unless the officer making the investigation satisfies the Magistrate that for special reasons and in the interests of justice the continuation of the investigation beyond the period of six months is necessary.
(6) Where any order stopping further investigation into an offence has been made under sub-section (5), the Sessions Judge may, if he is satisfied, on an application made to him or otherwise, that further investigation into the offence ought to be made, vacate the order made under sub-section (5) and direct further investigation to be made into the offence subject to such directions with regard to bail and other matters as he may specify.
2. Subs. by Act 45 of 1978, s. 13, for paragraph (a) (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
1. Subs. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 14, for cl. (b) (w.e.f. 31-12-2009)
2. Ins. by Act 45 of 1978, s. 13 (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
3. Subs. by Act 5 of 2009, s.14, for Explanation II (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
4. Ins. by s.14, ibid., (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
5. Ins. by Act 45 of 1978, s.13 (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).
STATE AMENDMENTS
Gujarat
In the proviso to sub-Section (2) of section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in its application to the State of Gujarat, -
(i) for paragraph (a), the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely: -
(a) the Magistrate may authorise detention of the accused person, otherwise than in the custody of the police, beyond the period of fifteen days, if he is satisfied that adequate grounds exist for doing so, but no Magistrate shall authorise the detention of the accused person in custody under this section for a total period exceeding-
(i) one hundred and twenty days, where the investigation relates to an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years,
(ii) sixty days, where the investigation relates to any offence; and, on the expiry of the said period of one hundred and twenty days, or sixty days, as the ease may be, the accused person shall be released on bail if he is prepared to and does furnish bail; and every person released on bail under this section shall be deemed to be so released under the provisions of Chapter XXXIII for the purposes of that Chapter;
(ii) in paragraph (b), for the words "no Magistrate shall" the words "no Magistrate shall, except for reason to be recorded in writing" shall be substituted;
(iii) the Explanation shall be numbered as Explanation II, and before Explanation II as so numbered, the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely: -
Explanation I. -For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that, notwithstanding the expiry of the period specified in paragraph (a), the accused person shall be detained in custody so long as he does not furnish bail.
Amendment to apply to pending investigation.- The provisions of section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, as amended by this Act, shall apply to every investigation pending immediately before the commencement of this Act, if the period of detention of the accused person, otherwise than in the custody of the police, authorised under that section, had not, at such commencement, exceeded sixty days.] [Vide Gujarat Act 21 of 1976, s. 2 & 3]
Gujarat
In Section 167, in sub-section (2) : -
(1) in the proviso, for paragraph (b), the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely: -
"(b) no Magistrate shall authorise further detention in any custody under this section unless-
(i) where the accused is in the custody of police, he is produced in person before the Magistrate, and
(ii) where the accused is otherwise than in the custody of the police, he is produced before the Magistrate either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage, in accordance with the direction of the Magistrate.";
(2) in Explanation II, after the words " whether an accused person was produced before the Magistrate", the words "in person or, as the case may be, through the medium of electronic video linkage" shall be inserted. [Vide Gujarat Act 31 of 2003, s. 2.]
Chhattisgarh
(1) In clause (b) of Sub-Section (2) of Section 167 of the principal Act, for the word "any" the word "police" shall be substituted.
(2) After clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 167 of the Principal Act, the following new sub-clause (bb) shall be added, namely:-
"(bb) No magistrate shall authorise detention of the accused person other than in the custody of the police under this section unless the accused is produced before him either in person of through the medium of electronic video linkage and represented by his pleader in the Court."
(3) In explanation II, after words "was produced" the word "from police custody" shall be added.
(4) After explanation II, the following new explanation shall be added:-
"III. If any question arises whether an accused person was produced from otherwise than in the custody of the police in person or (as the case may be) through medium of electronic video linkage before the Magistrate as required under paragraph (bb), the production of the accused person may be proved by his or his pleader's signature on the order authorising detention." [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 13 of 2006, sec. 3]
Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep In section 167,-
(i) in sub-section (1) after the words "nearest Judicial Magistrate" the words "or, if there is no Judicial Magistrate in an island, to an Executive Magistrate functioning in that island" shall be inserted;
(ii) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-
"(1A) Where a copy of the entries in diary is transmitted to an Executive Magistrate, reference in section 167 to a Magistrate shall be construed as references to such Executive Magistrate;"
(iii) to sub-section (3), the following proviso shall be added, namely:-
"Provided that no Executive Magistrate other than the District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate, shall unless he is specially empowered in this behalf by the State Government, authorise detention in the custody of the police."
(iv) to sub-section (4), the following proviso shall be added, namely:-
"Provided that, where such order is made by an Executive Magistrate, the Magistrate making the order shall forward a copy of the order, with his reasons for making it, to the Executive Magistrate to whom he is immediately subordinate." [Vide The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Regulation, 1974 Act (1 of 1974), s. 5.]
Maharashtra
Amendment of section 167. -
In Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, (2 of 1974) in its application to the State of Maharashtra,-
(a) in sub-section (2) in the proviso, for paragraph (b), the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely:-
(b) no Magistrate shall authorise detention in any custody, of the accused person under this section unless, the accused person is produced before him in person, and for any extension of custody otherwise than the extension in the police custody, the accused person may be produced either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage." ;
(b) in Explanation II, for the words "an accused person was produced", the words "an accused person was produced in person or as the case may be, through the medium of electronic video linkage" shall be substituted. [Vide Maharashtra Act 8 of 2005, s. 2]
Madhya Pradesh
Amendment of Section 167.- In sub-section (2) of section 167 of the principal Act,-
(i) in the proviso, for paragraph (b), the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely: -
"(b) no magistrate shall authorise detention in any custody under this section unless the accused is produced before him in person for the first time and subsequently every time till such time the accused remains in the custody of police, but the Magistrate may extend further detention in judicial custody on production of accused either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage;";
(ii) for Explanation II, the following Explanation shall be substituted, namely:-
"Explanation II.-If any question arise whether an accused person was produced before the Magistrate as required under paragraph (b), the production of the accused person may be proved by his signature on the order authorising detention or by the order certified by the Magistrate as to production of the accused person through the medium of electronic video linkage, as the case may be.". [Vide Madhya Pradesh Act 2 of 2008, s. 3.]
West Bengal
In section 167 of the principal Act,- (a) In Section 167 of sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be substituted:-
"(5) If, in respect of-
(i) any case triable by a Magistrate as a summons case, the investigation is not concluded within a period of six months, or
(ii) any case exclusively triable by a Court of Session or a case under Chapter XVIII of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the investigation is not concluded within a period of three years, or
(iii) any case other than those mentioned in clauses (i) and (ii), the investigation is not concluded within a period of two years, from the date on which the accused was arrested or made his appearance, the Magistrate shall make an order stopping further investigation into the offence and shall discharge the accused unless the officer making the investigation satisfies the Magistrate that for special reasons and in the interests of justice the continuation of the investigation beyond the periods mentioned in this sub-section is necessary.";
(b) in sub-section (6), after the "words any order stopping further investigation into an offence has been made" the words "and the accused has been discharged" shall be inserted. [Vide West Bengal Act 24 of 1988, s. 4.]
West Bengal
Amendment of section 167.- In the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 167 of the principal Act, for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted:-
"(b) no Magistrate shall authorize detention under this section-
(i) in the police custody, unless the accused is produced before him in person every time till the accused is in police custody;
(ii) in the judicial custody, unless the accused is produced before him either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage;". [Vide West Bengal Act 20 of 2004, s. 3.]
Assam
In Section 167 of the Code:-
(a) in sub-section (i) the reference to "Judicial Magistrate" shall be construed as reference also to executive Magistrate;
(b) in sub-section (2):-
(i) for the word "Magistrate" at the first two places where that word is preceded by the definite article, the words "Judicial Magistrate or the Executive Magistrate, as the case may be," shall be substituted;
(ii) for the word "Magistrate", at the place where that word is preceded by the indefinite article "a", the words and brackets "Magistrate (whether Judicial or Executive)" shall be substituted;
(iii) paragraph (c) of the proviso shall be omitted;
(c) Sub-section (2A) shall be omitted:-
(d) in sub-section (4), for the words "to the Chief Judicial Magistrate," the words "where such Magistrate is a Judicial Magistrate, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate and where such Magistrate is an Executive Magistrate to the Session Judge" shall be substituted. [Vide Assam Act 3 of 1984, s. 3(3) and the Schedule.]
Delhi
In its application to the State of Delhi, in section 167, in sub-section (2):-
(i) for clause (b), substitute the following clause, namely:-
"(b) no Magistrate shall authorise detention in any custody under this section unless the accused is produced before him either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage:
Provided that if the accused is in police custody, no Magistrate shall authorise his detention in any custody unless the accused is produced before him in person;"
(ii) for the Explanation II thereunder, substitute the following Explanation, namely:-
"Explanation II.- If any question arises whether an accused person was produced in person or, as the case may be, through the medium of electronic video linkage before the magistrate as required under paragraph (b), the production of the accused person may be proved by his signature on the order authorising his detention or by video recording of the proceedings, as the case may be.". [Vide Delhi Act 4 of 2004, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-8-2004).]
Orissa
Amendment of section 167.- In the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974),-
(i) for paragraph (b), the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely:-
"(b) no Magistrate shall authorize detention of the accused in custody of the police under this section unless the accused in produced before him in person for the first time and subsequently every time till the accused remains in the custody of the police, but the Magistrate may extend further detention in Judicial custody on production of the accused either in person or through the medium of electronic video linkage;", and
(ii) for Explanation II, the following Explanation shall be substituted, namely:-
"Explanation II- If any question arises whether an accused person was produced before the Magistrate as required under paragraph (b), the production of the accused person may be proved by his signature on the order authorizing detention or by the order certified by the Magistrate as to production of the accused person through the medium of electronic video linkage, as the case may be.". [Vide Orissa Act 16 of 2009, s. 2]
Amendment of section 167.- In section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in paragraph (a) of the proviso to sub-section (2),-
(i) For the words "under this paragraph" the words "under this section" shall be substituted; and
(ii) For the words "ninety days" wherever they occur, the words " one hundred and twenty days" shall be substituted. [Vide Orissa Act 11 of 1997, s. 2]
Section 168
Report of investigation by subordinate police officer.
When any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under this Chapter, he shall report the result of such investigation to the officer in charge of the police station.
Section 169
Release of accused when evidence deficient.
If, upon an investigation under this Chapter, it appears to the officer in charge of the police station that there is not sufficient evidence or reasonable ground of suspicion to justify the forwarding of the accused to a Magistrate, such officer shall, if such person is in custody, release him on his executing a bond, with or without sureties, as such officer may direct, to appear, if and when so required, before a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence on a police report, and to try the accused or commit him for trial.
Section 170
Cases to be sent to Magistrate, when evidence is sufficient.
(1) If, upon an investigation under this Chapter, it appears to the officer in charge of the police station that there is sufficient evidence or reasonable ground as aforesaid, such officer shall forward the accused under custody to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence upon a police report and to try the accused or commit him for trial, or, if the offence is bailable and the accused is able to give security, shall take security from him for his appearance before such Magistrate on a day fixed and for his attendance from day to day before such Magistrate until otherwise directed.
(2) When the officer in charge of a police station forwards an accused person to a Magistrate or takes security for his appearance before such Magistrate under this section, he shall send to such Magistrate any weapon or other article which it may be necessary to produce before him, and shall require the complainant (if any) and so many of the persons who appear to such officer to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case as he may think necessary, to execute a bond to appear before the Magistrate as thereby directed and prosecute or give evidence (as the case may be) in the matter of the charge against the accused.
(3) If the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate is mentioned in the bond, such Court shall be held to include any Court to which such Magistrate may refer the case for inquiry or trial, provided reasonable notice of such reference is given to such complainant or persons.
(4) The officer in whose presence the bond is executed shall deliver a copy thereof to one of the persons who executed it, and shall then send to the Magistrate the original with his report.
Section 171
Complainant and witnesses not to be required to accompany police officer and not to be subjected to restraint
No complainant or witness on his way to any Court shall be required to accompany a police officer, or shall be subjected to unnecessary restraint or inconvenience, or required to give any security for his appearance other than his own bond:
Provided that, if any complainant or witness refuses to attend or to execute a bond as directed in section 170, the officer in charge of the police station may forward him in custody to the Magistrate, who may detain him in custody until he executes such bond, or until the hearing of the case is completed.
Section 172
Diary of proceedings in investigation.
(1) Every police officer making an investigation under this Chapter shall day by day enter his proceedings in the investigation in a diary, setting forth the time at which the information reached him, the time at which he began and closed his investigation, the place or places visited by him, and a statement of the circumstances ascertained through his investigation.
1[(1A) The statements of witnesses recorded during the course of investigation under section 161 shall be inserted in the case diary.
(1B) The diary referred to in sub-section (1) shall be a volume and duly paginated.]
(2) Any Criminal Court may send for the police diaries of a case under inquiry or trial in such Court, and may use such diaries, not as evidence in the case, but to aid it in such inquiry or trial.
(3) Neither the accused nor his agents shall be entitled to call for such diaries, nor shall he or they be entitled to see them merely because they are referred to by the Court; but, if they are used by the police officer who made them to refresh his memory, or if the Court uses them for the purpose of contradicting such police officer, the provisions of section 161 or section 145, as the case may be, of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), shall apply.
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 15 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
Section 173
Report of police officer on completion of investigation.
(1) Every investigation under this Chapter shall be completed without unnecessary delay.
2[(1A) The investigation in relation to 3[an offence under sections 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB or 376E] from the date on which the information was recorded by the officer in charge of the police station.]
(2) (i) As soon as it is completed, the officer in charge of the police station shall forward to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence on a police report, a report in the form prescribed by the State Government, stating-
(a) the names of the parties;
(b) the nature of the information;
(c) the names of the persons who appear to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case;
(d) whether any offence appears to have been committed and, if so, by whom;
(e) whether the accused has been arrested;
(f) whether he has been released on his bond and, if so, whether with or without sureties;
(g) whether he has been forwarded in custody under section 170.
1[(h) whether the report of medical examination of the woman has been attached where investigation relates to an offence under 2[ sections 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB] or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)].]
(ii) The officer shall also communicate, in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government, the action taken by him, to the person, if any, by whom the information relating to the commission of the offence was first given.
(3) Where a superior officer of police has been appointed under section 158, the report shall, in any case in which the State Government by general or special order so directs, be submitted through that officer, and he may, pending the orders of the Magistrate, direct the officer in charge of the police station to make further investigation.
(4) Whenever it appears from a report forwarded under this section that the accused has been released on his bond, the Magistrate shall make such order for the discharge of such bond or otherwise as he thinks fit.
(5) When such report is in respect of a case to which section 170 applies, the police officer shall forward to the Magistrate along with the report-
(a) all documents or relevant extracts thereof on which the prosecution proposes to rely other than those already sent to the Magistrate during investigation;
(b) the statements recorded under section 161 of all the persons whom the prosecution proposes to examine as its witnesses.
(6) If the police officer is of opinion that any part of any such statement is not relevant to the subject-matter of the proceedings or that its disclosure to the accused is not essential in the interests of justice and is inexpedient in the public interest, he shall indicate that part of the statement and append a note requesting the Magistrate to exclude that part from the copies to be granted to the accused and stating his reasons for making such request.
(7) Where the police officer investigating the case finds it convenient so to do, he may furnish to the accused copies of all or any of the documents referred to in sub-section (5).
(8) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude further investigation in respect of an offence after a report under sub-section (2) has been forwarded to the Magistrate and, where upon such investigation, the officer in charge of the police station obtains further evidence, oral or documentary, he shall forward to the Magistrate a further report or reports regarding such evidence in the form prescribed; and the provisions of sub-sections (2) to (6) shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to such report or reports as they apply in relation to a report forwarded under sub-section (2).
2. Ins. by s. 16, ibid., (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
3. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 14, for "rape of a child may be completed within three months" (w.e.f. 21-4-2018).
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 16 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
2. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 14, for "section 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 387D" (w.e.f. 21-4-2018).
Section 174
Police to enquire and report on suicide, etc.
(1) When the officer in charge of a police station or some other police officer specially empowered by the State Government in that behalf receives information that a person has committed suicide, or has been killed by another or by an animal or by machinery or by an accident, or has died under circumstances raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person has committed an offence, he shall immediately give intimation thereof to the nearest Executive Magistrate empowered to hold inquests, and, unless otherwise directed by any rule prescribed by the State Government, or by any general or special order of the District or Sub-divisional Magistrate, shall proceed to the place where the body of such deceased person is, and there, in the presence of two or more respectable inhabitants of the neighbourhood, shall make an investigation, and draw up a report of the apparent cause of death, describing such wounds, fractures, bruises, and other marks of injury as may be found on the body, and stating in what manner, or by what weapon or instrument (if any); such marks appear to have been inflicted.
(2) The report shall be signed by such police officer and other persons, or by so many of them as concur therein, and shall be forthwith forwarded to the District Magistrate or the Sub-divisional Magistrate.
(3) 1[When-
(i) the case involves suicide by a woman within seven years of her marriage; or
(ii) the case relates to the death of a woman within seven years of her marriage in any circumstances raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person committed an offence in relation to such woman; or
(iii) the case relates to the death of a woman within seven years of her marriage and any relative of the woman has made a request in this behalf; or
(iv) there is any doubt regarding the cause of death; or
(v) the police officer for any other reason considers it expedient so to do, he shall], subject to such rules as the State Government may prescribe in this behalf, forward the body, with a view to its being examined, to the nearest Civil Surgeon, or other qualified medical man appointed in this behalf by the State Government, if the state of the weather and the distance admit of its being so forwarded without risk of such putrefaction on the road as would render such examination useless.
(4) The following Magistrates are empowered to hold inquests, namely, any District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate and any other Executive Magistrate specially empowered in this behalf by the State Government or the District Magistrate.
1. Subs. by Act 46 of 1983, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f. 25-12-1983).
Section 175
Power to summon persons.
(1) A police officer proceeding under section 174 may, by order in writing, summon two or more persons as aforesaid for the purpose of the said investigation, and any other person who appears to be acquainted with the facts of the case and every person so summoned shall be bound to attend and to answer truly all questions other than questions the answers to which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or to a penalty or forfeiture.
(2) If the facts do not disclose a cognizable offence to which section 170 applies, such persons shall not be required by the police officer to attend a Magistrate's Court.
Section 176
Inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death.
(1) 2[3*** when the case is of the nature referred to in clause (i) or clause (ii) of sub-section (3) of section 174], the nearest Magistrate empowered to hold inquests shall, and in any other case mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 174, any Magistrate so empowered may hold an inquiry into the cause of death either instead of, or in addition to, the investigation held by the police officer; and if he does so, he shall have all the powers in conducting it which he would have in holding an inquiry into an offence.
1[(1A) Where,-
(a) any person dies or disappears, or
(b) rape is alleged to have been committed on any woman, while such person or woman is in the custody of the police or in any other custody authorised by the Magistrate or the Court, under this Code in addition to the inquiry or investigation held by the police, an inquiry shall be held by the Judicial Magistrate or the Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be, within whose local jurisdiction the offence has been committed.]
(2) The Magistrate holding such an inquiry shall record the evidence taken by him in connection therewith in any manner hereinafter prescribed according to the circumstances of the case.
(3) Whenever such Magistrate considers it expedient to make an examination of the dead body of any person who has been already interred, in order to discover the cause of his death, the Magistrate may cause the body to be disinterred and examined.
(4) Where an inquiry is to be held under this section, the Magistrate shall, wherever practicable, inform the relatives of the deceased whose names and addresses are known, and shall allow them to remain present at the inquiry.
3[(5) The Judicial Magistrate or the Metropolitan Magistrate or Executive Magistrate or police officer holding an inquiry or investigation, as the case may be, under sub-section (1A) shall, within twenty-four hours of the death of a person, forward the body with a view to its being examined to the nearest Civil Surgeon or other qualified medical person appointed in this behalf by the State Government, unless it is not possible to do so for reasons to be recorded in writing.]
Explanation.- In this section, the expression "relative" means parents, children, brothers, sisters and spouse.
2. Subs. by, s. 4, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 25-12-1983).
3. Certain words omitted by Act 25 of 2005, s. 18 (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 18 (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
Section 177
Ordinary place of inquiry and trial.
Every offence shall ordinarily be inquired
into and tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction it was committed.
Section 178
Place of inquiry or trial.
(a) When it is uncertain in which of several
local areas an offence was committed, or
(b) where an offence is committed partly in
one local area and partly in another, or
(c) where an offence is a continuing one, and
continues to be committed in more local areas than one, or
(d) where it consists of several acts done in
different local areas.
it may be inquired into or tried by a Court
having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.
Section 179
Offence triable where act is done or
consequence ensues.-
When an act is an offence by reason of
anything which has been done and of a consequence which has ensued, the offence
may be inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction such
thing has been done or such consequence has ensued.
Section 180
Place of trial where act is an offence by reason of relation to other
offence.-
When an act is an offence by reason of its
relation to any other act which is also an offence or which would be an offence
if the doer were capable of committing an offence, the first-mentioned offence
may be inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction either
act was done.
Section 181
Place of trial in case of certain offences.
(1) Any offence of being a thug, or murder
committed by a thug , of dacoity, of dacoity with murder, of belonging to a
gang of dacoits, or of escaping from custody, may be inquired into or tried by
a Court within whose local jurisdiction the offence was committed or the
accused person is found.
(2) Any offence of kidnapping or abduction of a person may be inquired into or
tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction the person was kidnapped or
abducted or was conveyed or concealed or detained.
(3) Any offence of theft, extortion or robbery may be inquired into or tried by
a Court within whose local jurisdiction the offence was committed or the stolen
property which is the subject of the offence was possessed by any person
committing it or by any person who received or retained such property knowing
or having reason to believe it to be stolen property.
(4) Any offence of criminal misappropriation or of criminal breach of trust may
be inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction the
offence was committed or any part of the property which is the subject of the
offence was received or retained, or was required to be returned or accounted
for, by the accused person.
(5) Any offence which includes the possession of stolen property may be
inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction the offence
was committed or the stolen property was possessed by any person who received
or retained it knowing or having reason to believe it to be stolen property.
Section 182
Offences committed by letters, etc.
(1) Any offence which includes cheating may,
if the deception is practiced by means of letters or telecommunication
messages, be inquired into or tried by any Court within whose local
jurisdiction such letters or messages were sent or were received; and any
offence of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property may be
inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction the property
was delivered by the person deceived or was received by the accused person.
(2) Any offence punishable under section 494 or section 495 of the Indian Penal
Code(45 of 1860) may be inquired into or tried by a Court within whose local
jurisdiction the offence was committed or the offender last resided with his or
her spouse by the first marriage.
Section 183
Offence committed on journey or voyage.
When an offence is committed whilst the person
by or against whom, or the thing in respect of which, the offence is committed is
in the course of performing a journey or voyage, the offence may be inquired
into or tried by a Court through or into whose local jurisdiction that person
or thing passed in the course of that journey or voyage.
Section 184
Place of trial for offences triable together.- Where
(a)
the offences committed by any person are such that he may be charged with, and
tried at one trial for, each such offence by virtue of the provisions of
section 219, section 220 or section 221, or
(b) the offence or offences committed by several persons are such that they may
be charged with and tried together by virtue of the provisions of section 223,
the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire
into or try and of the offences.
Section 185
Power to order cases to be tried in different sessions divisions.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the
preceding provisions of this Chapter, the State Government may direct that any
cases or class of cases committed for trial in any district may be tried in any
sessions division:
Provided that such direction is not repugnant to any direction
previously issued by the High Court or the Supreme Court under the
Constitution, or under this Code or any other law for the time being in force.
Section 186
High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial
shall take place.-
Where two or more Courts have taken cognizance
of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire
into or try that offence, the question shall be decided -
(a) if the Courts are subordinate to the same
High Court, by that High Court;
(b) if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, by the High Court
within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the
proceedings were first commenced, and thereupon all other proceedings in
respect of that offence shall be discontinued.
Section 187
Power to issue summons or warrant for
offence committed beyond local jurisdiction.-
(1) When a Magistrate of the first class sees
reason to believe that any person within his local jurisdiction has committed
outside such jurisdiction (whether within or outside India) an offence which
cannot, under the provisions of sections 177 to 185 (both inclusive), or any
other law for the time being in force, be inquired into or tried within such
jurisdiction but is under some law for the time being in force triable in
India, such Magistrate may inquire into the offence as if it had been committed
within such local jurisdiction and compel such person in the manner hereinbefore
provided to appear before him, and send such person to the Magistrate having
jurisdiction to inquire into or try such offence, or, if such offence is not
punishable with death or imprisonment for life and such person is ready and
willing to give bail to the satisfaction of the Magistrate acting under this
section, take a bond with or without sureties for his appearance before the
Magistrate having such jurisdiction.
(2) When there are more Magistrates than one having such jurisdiction and the
Magistrate acting under this section cannot satisfy himself as to the
Magistrate to or before whom such person should be sent or bound to appear, the
case shall be reported for the orders of the High Court.
Section 188
Offence committed outside India.
When an offence is committed outside India -
(a) by a citizen of India , whether on the high
seas or elsewhere; or
(b) by a person, not being such citizen, on any ship or aircraft registered in India , he may be dealt with
in respect of such offence as if it had been committed at any place within India at which he may be
found:
Provided that, notwithstanding anything in any of the preceding sections
of this Chapter, no such offence shall be inquired into or tried in India except with the
previous sanction of the Central Government.
Section 189
Receipt of evidence relating to offences committed outside India.
When any offence alleged to have been
committed in a territory outside India is being inquired into or tried under
the provisions of section 188, the Central Government may, if it thinks fit,
direct that copies of depositions made or exhibits produced before a Judicial
officer in or for that territory or before a diplomatic or consular
representative of India in or for that territory shall be received as evidence
by the Court holding such inquiry or trial in any case in which such Court
might issue a commission for taking evidence as to the matters to which such
depositions or exhibits relate.
Section 190
Cognizance of offences by Magistrates.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter,
any Magistrate of the first class, and any Magistrate of the second class
specially empowered in this behalf under sub-section (2), may take cognizance
of any offence -
(a) upon receiving a complaint of facts which constitute such offence;
(b) upon a police report of such facts;
(c) upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or
upon his own knowledge, that such offence has been committed.
(2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may empower any Magistrate of the second
class to take cognizance under sub-section (1) of such offences as are within
his competence to inquire into or try.
Section 191
Transfer on application of the accused.
When a Magistrate takes cognizance of an
offence under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 190, the accused shall,
before any evidence is taken, be informed that he is entitled to have the case
inquired into or tried by another Magistrate, and if the accused or any of the accused,
if there be more than one, objects to further proceedings before the Magistrate
taking cognizance, the case shall be transferred to such other Magistrate as
may be specified by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in this behalf.
Section 192
Making over of cases to Magistrates.
(1) Any Chief Judicial Magistrate may, after
taking cognizance of an offence, make over the case for inquiry or trial to any
competent Magistrate subordinate to him.
(2) Any Magistrate of the first class empowered in this behalf by the Chief
Judicial Magistrate may, after taking cognizance of an offence, make over the
case for inquiry or trial to such other competent Magistrate as the Chief
Judicial Magistrate may, by general or special order, specify, and thereupon
such Magistrate may hold the inquiry or trial.
Section 193
Cognizance of offences by Courts of Session.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this
Code or by any other law for the time being in force, no Court of Session shall
take cognizance of any offence as a Court of original jurisdiction unless the
case has been committed to it by a Magistrate under this Code.
Section 194
Additional and Assistant Sessions Judges to try cases made over to
them.-
As Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant
Sessions Judge shall try such cases as the Sessions Judge of the division may,
by general or special order, make over to him for trial or as the High Court
may, by special order, direct him to try.
Section 195
Prosecution for contempt of lawful authority of public servants, for
offences against public justice and for offences relating to documents given in
evidence.-
(1) No Court shall take
cognizance-
(a) (I) of any offence punishable under sections 172 to 188 (both inclusive) of
the Indian Penal Code,(45 of 1860) or
(ii) of any abetment of, or attempt to commit, such offence, or
(iii) of any criminal conspiracy to commit such offence, except on the
complaint in writing of the public servant concerned or of some other public
servant to whom he is administratively subordinate;
(b) (I) of any offence punishable under any of the following sections of the
Indian Penal Code,(45 of 1860) namely, sections 193 to 196 (both inclusive),
199, 200, 205 to 211 (both inclusive) and 228, when such offence is alleged to
have been committed in, or in relation to, any proceeding in any Court, or
(ii) of any offence described in section 463, or punishable under section 471,
section 475 or section 476, of the said Code, when such offence is alleged to
have been committed in respect of a document produced or given in evidence in a
proceeding in any Court, or
(iii) of any criminal conspiracy to commit, or attempt to commit, or the
abetment of, any offence specified in sub-clause (I) or sub-clause (ii), except
on the complaint in writing of that Court, or of some other Court to which that
Court is subordinate.
(2) Where a complaint has been made by a
public servant under clause (a) of sub-section (1) any authority to which he is
administratively subordinate may order the withdrawal of the complaint and send
a copy of such order to the Court; and upon its receipt by the Court, no
further proceedings shall be taken on the complaint:
Providedthat no such withdrawal shall be
ordered if the trial in the Court of first instance has been concluded.
(3) In clause (b) of sub-section (1), the term
"Court" means a Civil, Revenue or Criminal Court, and includes a
tribunal constituted by or under a Central, Provincial or State Act if declared
by that Act to be a Court for the purposes of this section.
(4) For the purposes of clause (b) of sub-section (1), a Court shall be deemed
to be subordinate to the Court to which appeals ordinarily lie from the
appealable decrees or sentences of such former Court, or in the case of a Civil
Court from whose decrees no appeal ordinarily lies, to the Principal Court
having ordinary original civil jurisdiction within whose local jurisdiction
such Civil Court is situate:
Provided that-
(a) where appeals lie to more than one Court,
the Appellate Court of inferior jurisdiction shall be the Court to which such
Court shall be deemed to be subordinate;
(b) where appeals lie to a Civil and also to a Revenue Court , such Court shall be
deemed to be subordinate to the Civil or Revenue Court according to the
nature of the case or proceeding in connection with which the offence is
alleged to have been committed.
Section 196
Prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy
to commit such offence.-
(1) No Court shall take cognizance
of -
(a) any offence punishable under Chapter VI or under section 153A, section
153B, section 295A or section 505 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) or
(b) a criminal conspiracy to commit such offence, or
(c)any such abetment, as is described in section 108A of the Indian Penal
Code,(45 of 1860) except with the previous sanction of the Central Government
or of the State Government.
(2) No Court shall take cognizance of the
offence of any criminal conspiracy punishable under section 120B of the Indian
Penal Code, (45 of 1860) other than a criminal conspiracy to commit a
cognizable offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or rigorous
imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, unless the State Government or
the District Magistrate has consented in writing to the initiation of the
proceedings:
Provided that where the criminal conspiracy is one to which the
provisions of section 195 apply, no such consent shall be necessary.
(3) The Central Government or the State Government may, before according
sanction under sub-section (1) and the State Government or the District
Magistrate may, before giving consent under sub-section (2), order a
preliminary investigation by a police officer not being below the rank of
Inspector, in which case such police officer shall have the powers referred to
in sub-section (3) of section 155.
Section 197
Prosecution of Judges and public servants.
(1) When any person who is or was a Judge or
Magistrate or a public servant not removable from his office save by or with
the sanction of the Government is accused of any offence alleged to have been
committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his
official duty, no Court shall take cognizance of such offence except with the
previous sanction-
(a) in the case of a person who is employed or, as the case may be, was at the
time of commission of the alleged offence employed, in connection with the
affairs of the Union, of the Central Government;
(b) in the case of a person who is employed or, as the case may be, was at the
time of commission of the alleged offence employed, in connection with the
affairs of a State, of the State Government.
(2) No Court shall take cognizance
of any offence alleged to have been committed by any member of the Armed Forces
of the Union while acting or purporting to act in the
discharge of his official duty, except with the previous sanction of the
Central Government.
(3) The State Government may, by notification, direct that the provisions of
sub-section (2) shall apply to such class or category of the members of the
Forces charged with the maintenance of public order as may be specified
therein, wherever they may be serving, and thereupon the provisions of that
sub-section will apply as if for the expression "Central Government"
occurring therein, the expression "State Government">were
substituted.
(4) The Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may
determine the person by whom, the manner in which, and the offence or offences
for which, the prosecution of such Judge, Magistrate or public servant is to be
conducted, and may specify the Court before which the trial is to be held.
Section 198
Prosecution for offences against marriage.
(1) No Court shall take cognizance
of an offence punishable under Chapter XX of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860)
except upon a complaint made by some person aggrieved by the offence:
Provided that-
(a) where such person is under the age of
eighteen years, or is an idiot or a lunatic, or is from sickness or infirmity
unable to make a complaint, or is a woman who, according to the local customs
and manners, ought not to be compelled to appear in public, some other person
may, with the leave of the Court, make a complaint on his or her behalf;
(b) where such person is the husband and he is
serving in any of the Armed Forces of the Union under conditions which are
certified by his Commanding Officer as precluding him from obtaining leave of
absence to enable him to make a complaint in person, some other person
authorized by the husband in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (4)
may make a complaint on his behalf;
(c) where the person aggrieved by an offence
punishable under section 494 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) is the wife,
complaint may be made on her behalf by her father, mother, brother, sister, son
or daughter or by her father's or mother's brother or sister.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), no person other than the husband of
the woman shall be deemed to be aggrieved by any offence punishable under
section 497 or section 498 of the said Code:
Provided that in the absence of the husband, some person who had care of
the woman on his behalf at the time when such offence was committed may, with
the leave of the Court, make a complaint on his behalf.
(3) When in any case falling under clause (a) of the proviso to sub-section
(1), the complaint is sought to be made on behalf of a person under the age of
eighteen years or of a lunatic by a person who has not been appointed or
declared by a competent authority to be the guardian of the person of the minor
or lunatic, and the Court is satisfied that there is a guardian so appointed or
declared, the Court shall, before granting the application for leave, cause
notice to be given to such guardian and give him a reasonable opportunity of
being heard.
(4) The authorization referred to in clause (b) of the proviso to sub-section
(1), shall be in writing, shall be signed or otherwise attested by the husband,
shall contain a statement to the effect that he has been informed of the
allegations upon which the complaint is to be founded, shall be countersigned
by his Commanding Officer, and shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by
that Officer to the effect that leave of absence for the purpose of making a
complaint in person cannot for the time being be granted to the husband.
(5) Any document purporting to be such an authorization and complying with the
provisions of sub-section (4), and any document purporting to be a certificate
required by that sub-section shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed
to be genuine and shall be received in evidence.
(6) No Court shall take cognizance
of an offence under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) where
such offence consists of sexual inter-course by a man with his own wife, the
wife being under fifteen years of age, if more than one year has elapsed from
the date of the commission of the offence.
(7) The provisions of this section apply to
the abetment of, or attempt to commit, an offence as they apply to the offence.
Section 199
Prosecution for defamation.
(1) No Court shall take cognizance
of an offence punishable under Chapter XXI of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860)
except upon a complaint made by some person aggrieved by the offence:
Provided that where such person is under the age of eighteen years, or
is an idiot or a lunatic, or is from sickness or infirmity unable to make a
complaint, or is a woman who, according to the local customs and manners, ought
not to be compelled to appear in public, some other person may, with the leave
of the Court, make a complaint on his or her behalf.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code, when any offence falling
under Chapter XXI of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) is alleged to have been
committed against a person who, at the time of such commission, is the
President of India, the Vice-President of India, the Governor of a State, the
Administrator of a Union territory or a Minister of the Union or of a State or
of a Union territory, or any other public servant employed in connection with
the affairs of the Union or of a State in respect of his conduct in the
discharge of his public functions a Court of Session may take cognizance of
such offence, without the case being committed to it, upon a complaint in
writing made by the Public Prosecutor.
(3) Every complaint referred to in sub-section (2) shall set forth the facts
which constitute the offence alleged, the nature of such offence and such other
particulars as are reasonably sufficient to give notice to the accused of the
offence alleged to have been committed by him.
(4) No complaint under sub-section (2) shall be made by the Public Prosecutor
except with the previous sanction-
(a) of the State Government, in the case of a person who is or has been the
Governor of that State or a Minister of that Government;
(b) of the State Government, in the case of any other public servant employed
in connection with the affairs of the State;
(c) of the Central Government, in any other case.
(5) No Court of Session shall take cognizance
of an offence under sub-section (2) unless the complaint is made within six
months from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
(6) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the person against whom
the offence is alleged to have been committed, to make a complaint in respect
of that offence before a Magistrate having jurisdiction or the power of such
Magistrate to take cognizance of the offence upon such complaint.
Section 200
Examination of complainant.
A Magistrate taking cognizance of an offence
on complaint shall examine upon oath the complainant and the witnesses present,
if any, and the substance of such examination shall be reduced to writing and
shall be signed by the complainant and the witnesses, and also by the
Magistrate:
Provided that, when the complaint is made in writing, the Magistrate
need not examine the complainant and the witnesses-
(a) if a public servant acting or purporting
to act in the discharge of his official duties or a Court has made the
complainant; or
(b) if the Magistrate makes over the case for
inquiry or trial to another Magistrate under section 192:
Provided further that if the Magistrate
makes over the case to another Magistrate under section 192 after examining the
complainant and the witnesses, the latter Magistrate need not re-examine them.
Section 201
Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance of the case.
If the complaint is made to a Magistrate who
is not competent to take cognizance of the offence, he shall, -
(a) if the complaint is in writing, return it for presentation to the proper
Court with an endorsement to that effect;
(b) if the complaint is not in writing, direct the complainant to the proper
Court.
Section 202
Postponement of issue of process.
(1) Any Magistrate , on receipt of a complaint
of an offence of which he is authorized to take cognizance or which has been
made over to him under section 192, may, if he thinks fit, postpone the issue
of process against the accused, and either inquire into the case himself or
direct an investigation to be made by a police officer or by such other person
as he thinks fit, for the purpose of deciding whether or not there is
sufficient ground for proceeding:
Provided that no such direction for investigation shall be made, -
(a) where it appears to the Magistrate that
the offence complained of is triable exclusively by the Court of Session; or
(b) where the complaint has not been made by a
Court, unless the complainant and the witnesses present (if any) have been
examined on oath under section 200.
(2) In an inquiry under sub-section (1), the
Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, take evidence of witnesses on oath:
Provided that if it appears to the Magistrate that the offence
complained of is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, he shall call
upon the complainant to produce all his witnesses and examine them on oath.
(3) If an investigation under sub-section (1) is made by a person not being a
police officer, he shall have for that investigation all the powers conferred
by this Code on an officer in charge of a police station except the power to
arrest without warrant.
Section 203
Dismissal of complaint.
If, after considering the statements on oath
(if any) of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry
or investigation (if any) under section 202, the Magistrate is of opinion that
there is no sufficient ground for proceeding, he shall dismiss the complaint,
and in every such case he shall briefly record his reasons for so doing.
Section 204
Issue of process.
(1) If in the opinion of a Magistrate taking
cognizance of an offence there is sufficient ground for proceeding, and the
case appears to be -
(a) a summons-case, he shall issue his summons for the attendance of the
accused, or
(b) a warrant-case, he may issue a warrant, or, if he thinks fit, a summons,
for causing the accused to be brought or to appear at a certain time before
such Magistrate or (if he has no jurisdiction himself) some other Magistrate
having jurisdiction.
(2) No summons or warrant shall be issued
against the accused under sub-section (1) until a list of the prosecution
witnesses has been filed.
(3) In a proceeding instituted upon a complaint made in writing, every summons
or warrant issued under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by a copy of such
complaint.
(4) When by any law for the time being in force any process-fees or other fees
are payable, no process shall be issued until the fees are paid and, if such
fees are not paid within a reasonable time, the Magistrate may dismiss the
complaint.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect the provisions of section
87.
Section 205
Magistrate may dispense with personal attendance of accused.
(1) Whenever a Magistrate issues a summons, he
may, if he sees reason so to do, dispense with the personal attendance of the
accused and permit him to appear by his pleader.
(2) But the Magistrate inquiring into or trying the case may, in his discretion,
at any stage of the proceedings, direct the personal attendance of the accused,
and, if necessary, enforce such attendance in the manner hereinbefore provided.
Section 206
Special summons in cases of petty offence.
(1) If, in the opinion of a Magistrate taking
cognizance of a petty offence, the case may be summarily disposed of under
section 260, the Magistrate shall, except where he is, for reasons to be
recorded in writing of a contrary opinion, issue summons to the accused
requiring him either to appear in person or by pleader before the Magistrate on
a specified date, or if he desires to plead guilty to the charge without
appearing before the Magistrate, to transmit before the specified date, by post
or by messenger to the Magistrate, the said plea in writing and the amount of
fine specified in the summons or if he desires to appear by pleader and to
plead guilty to the charge through such pleader, to authorize, in writing, the
pleader to plead guilty to the charge on his behalf and to pay the fine through
such pleader:
Provided that the amount of the fine
specified in such summons shall not exceed one hundred rupees.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "petty offence">means any
offence punishable only with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, but does
not include any offence so punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, (4 of
1939) or under any other law which provides for convicting the accused person
in his absence on a plea of guilty.
Section 207
Supply to the accused of copy of police report and other documents.
In any case where the proceeding has been
instituted on a police report, the Magistrate shall without delay furnish to
the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following:-
(i) the police report;
(ii) the first information report recorded under section 154;
(iii) the statements recorded under sub-section (3) of section 161 of all
persons whom the prosecution proposes to examine as its witnesses, excluding
there from any part in regard to which a request for such exclusion has been
made by the police officer under sub-section (6) of section 173;
(iv) the confessions and statements, if any, recorded under section 164;
(v) any other document or relevant extract thereof forwarded to the Magistrate
with the police report under sub-section (5) of section 173:
Provided that the Magistrate may, after perusing any such part of a
statement as is referred to in clause (iii) and considering the reasons given
by the police officer for the request, direct that a copy of that part of the
statement or of such portion thereof as the Magistrate thinks proper, shall be
furnished to the accused:
Provided furtherthat if the Magistrate is satisfied that any document
referred to in clause (v) is voluminous, he shall, instead of furnishing the
accused with a copy thereof, direct that he will only be allowed to inspect it
either personally or through pleader in Court.
Section 208
Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases
triable by Court of Session.-
Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on
a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 204
that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate
shall without delay furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the
following:-
(i) the statements recorded under section 200 or section 202, of all persons
examined by the Magistrate;
(ii) the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under section 161 or
section 164;
(iii) any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution
proposes to rely:
Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is
voluminous, he shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy thereof,
direct that he will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through
pleader in Court.
Section 209
Commitment of case to Court of Session when offence is triable
exclusively by it.-
When in a case instituted on a police report
or otherwise, the accused appears or is brought before the Magistrate and it
appears to the Magistrate that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court
of Session, he shall-
(a) commit the case to the Court of Session;
(b) subject to the provisions of this Code relating to bail, remand the accused
to custody during, and until the conclusion of, the trial;
(c) send to that Court the record of the case and the documents and articles,
if any, which are to be produced in evidence;
(d) notify the Public Prosecutor of the commitment of the case to the Court of
Session.
Section 210
Procedure to be followed when there is a complaint case and police
investigation in respect of the same offence.-
(1) When in a case instituted otherwise than
on a police report (hereinafter referred to as a complaint case), it is made to
appear to the Magistrate, during the course of the inquiry or trial held by
him, that an investigation by the police is in progress in relation to the
offence which is the subject-matter of the inquiry or trial held by him, the
Magistrate shall stay the proceedings of such inquiry or trial and call for a
report on the matter from the police officer conducting the investigation.
(2) If a report is made by the investigating police officer under section 173
and on such report cognizance of any offence is taken by the Magistrate against
any person who is an accused in the complaint case, the Magistrate shall
inquire into or try together the complaint case and the case arising out of the
police report as if both the cases were instituted on a police report.
(3) If the police report does not relate to any accused in the complaint case
or if the Magistrate does not take cognizance of any offence on the police
report, he shall proceed with the inquiry or trial, which was stayed by him, in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.
Section 211
Contents of charge.
(1) Every charge under this Code shall state
the offence with which the accused is charged.
(2) If the law which creates the offence gives it any specific name, the
offence may be described in the charge by that name only.
(3) If the law which creates the offence does not give it any specific name, so
much of the definition of the offence must be stated as to give the accused
notice of the matter with which he is charged.
(4) The law and section of the law against which the offence is said to have
been committed shall be mentioned in the charge.
(5) The fact that the charge is made is equivalent to a statement that every
legal condition required by law to constitute the offence charged was fulfilled
in the particular case.
(6) The charge shall be written in the language of the Court.
(7) If the accused, having been previously convicted of any offence, is liable,
by reason of such previous conviction, to enhanced punishment, or to punishment
of a different kind, for a subsequent offence, and it is intended to prove such
previous conviction for the purpose of affecting the punishment which the Court
may think fit to award for the subsequent offence, the fact, date and place of
the previous conviction shall be stated in the charge; and if such statement
has been omitted, the Court may add it at any time before sentence is passed.
Illustrations
(a) A is charged with the murder of B.This is equivalent to a statement that
A's act fell within the definition of murder given in section 299 and 300 of
the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860); that it did not fall within any of the
general exceptions of the said Code; and that it did not fall within any of the
five exceptions to section 300, or that, if it did fall within Exception 1, one
or other of the three provisos to that exception applied to it.
(b) A is charged under section 326 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) with
voluntarily causing grievous hurt to B by means of an instrument for shooting.
This is equivalent to a statement that the case was not provided for by section
335 of the said Code, and that the general exceptions did not apply to it.
(c) A is accused of murder, cheating, theft, extortion, adultery or criminal
intimidation, or using a false property-mark. The charge may state that A
committed murder, or cheating, or theft, or extortion, or adultery, or criminal
intimidation, or that he used a false property-mark, without reference to the
definitions of those crime contained in the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860); but
the sections under which the offence is punishable must, in each instance, be
referred to in the charge.
(d) A is charged under section 184 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) with
intentionally obstructing a sale of property offered for sale by the lawful
authority of a public servant. The charge should be in those words.
Section 212
Particulars as to time, place and person.
(1) The charge shall contain such particulars
as to the time and place of the alleged offence, and the person (if any)
against whom, or the thing (if any) in respect of which, it was committed, as
are reasonably sufficient to give the accused notice of the matter with which
he is charged.
(2) When the accused is charged with criminal breach of trust or dishonest
misappropriation of money or other movable property, it shall be sufficient to
specify the gross sum or, as the case may be, describe the movable property in
respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed, and the dates
between which the offence is alleged to have been committed, without specifying
particular items or exact dates, and the charge so framed shall be deemed to be
a charge of one offence within the meaning of section 219:
Provided that the time included between the first and last of such dates
shall not exceed one year.
Section 213
When manner of committing offence must be stated.
When the nature of the case is such that the
particulars mentioned in sections 211 and 212 do not give the accused
sufficient notice of the matter with which he is charged, the charge shall also
contain such particulars of the manner in which the alleged offence was
committed as will be sufficient for that purpose.
Illustrations
(a) A is accused of the theft of a certain article at a certain time and place.
The charge need not set out the manner in which the theft was effected.
(b) A is accused of cheating B at a given time and place. The charge must set
out the manner in which A cheated B.
(c) A is accused of giving false evidence at a given time and place. The charge
must set out that portion of the evidence given by A which is alleged to be
false.
(d) A is accused of obstructing B, a public servant, in the discharge of his
public functions at a given time and place. The charge must set out the manner
in which A obstructed B in the discharge of his functions.
(e) A is accused of the murder B at a given time and place. The charge need not
state the manner in which A murdered B.
(f) A is accused of disobeying a direction of
the law with intent to save B from punishment. The charge must set out the
disobedience charged and the law infringed.
Section 214
Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is
punishable.-
In every charge words used in describing an
offence shall be deemed to have been used in the sense attached to them
respectively by the law under which such offence is punishable.
Section 215
Effect of errors.
No error in stating either the offence or the
particulars required to be stated in the charge, and no omission to state the
offence or those particulars, shall be regarded at any stage of the case as
material, unless the accused was in fact misled by such error or omission, and
it has occasioned a failure of justice.
Illustrations
(a) A is charged under section 242 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860.) with
"having been in possession of counterfeit coin, having known at the time
when he became possessed thereof that such coin was counterfeit", the word
"fraudulently">being omitted in the charge. Unless it appears that A
was in fact misled by this omission, the error shall not be regarded as
material.
(b) A is charged with cheating B, and the manner in which he cheated B is not
set out in the charge, or is set out incorrectly. A defends himself, calls
witnesses and gives his own account of the transaction. The Court may infer
from this that the omission to set out the manner of the cheating is not
material.
(c) A is charged with cheating B, and the manner in which he cheated B is not
set out in the charge. There were many transactions between A and B, and A had
no means of knowing to which of them the charge referred, and offered no
defense. The Court may infer from such facts that the omission to set out the
manner of the cheating was, in the case, a material error.
(d) A is charged with the murder of Khoda Baksh on the 21st January, 1882.In
fact, the murdered person's name was Haidar Baksh, and the date of the murder
was the 20th January, 1882.A was never charged with any murder but one, and had
heard the inquiry before the Magistrate, which referred exclusively to the case
of Haidar Baksh. The Court may infer from these facts that A was not misled,
and that the error in the charge was immaterial.
(e) A was charged with murdering Haidar Baksh on the 20th January, 1882, and
Khoda Baksh (who tried to arrest him for that murder) on the 21st January,
1882.When charged for the murder of Haidar Baksh, he was tried for the murder
of Khoda Baksh.The witnesses present in his defense were witnesses in the case
of Haidar Baksh.The Court may infer from this that A was misled, and that the
error was material.
Section 216
Court may alter charge.
(1) Any Court may alter or add to any charge
at any time before judgment is pronounced.
(2) Every such alteration or addition shall be read and explained to the
accused.
(3) If the alteration or addition to a charge is such that proceeding
immediately with the trial is not likely, in the opinion of the Court, to
prejudice the accused in his defense or the prosecutor in the conduct of the
case, the Court may, in its discretion, after such alteration or addition has
been made, proceed with the trial as if the altered or added charge had been
the original charge.
(4) If the alteration or addition is such that proceeding immediately with the
trial is likely, in the opinion of the Court, to prejudice the accused or the
prosecutor as aforesaid, the Court may either direct a new trial or adjourn the
trial for such period as may be necessary.
(5) If the offence stated in the altered or added charge is one for the
prosecution of which previous sanction is necessary, the case shall not be
proceeded with until such sanction is obtained, unless sanction has been
already obtained for a prosecution on the same facts as those on which the
altered or added charge is founded.
Section 217
Recall of witnesses when charge altered.
Whenever a charge is altered or added to by
the Court after the commencement of the trial, the prosecutor and the accused
shall be allowed -
(a) to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to such alteration or
addition, any witness who may have been examined, unless the Court, for reasons
to be recorded in writing, considers that the prosecutor or the accused, as the
case may be, desires to recall or re-examine such witness for the purpose of
vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice;
(b) also to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.
Section 218
Separate charges for distinct offences.
(1) For every distinct offence of which any
person is accused there shall be a separate charge, and every such charge shall
be tried separately:
Provided that where the accused person, by an application in writing, so
desires and the Magistrate is of opinion that such person is not likely to be
prejudiced thereby, the Magistrate may try together all or any number of the
charges framed against such person.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall affect the operation of the provisions of
sections 219, 220, 221 and 223.
Illustration
A is accused of a theft on one occasion, and of causing grievous hurt on
another occasion. A must be separately charged and separately tried for the
theft and causing grievous hurt.
Section 219
Three offences of same kind within year
may be charged together.-
(1) When a person is accused of more offences
than one of the same kind committed within the space of twelve months from the
first to the last of such offences, whether in respect of the same person or
not, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, any number of them not
exceeding three.
(2) Offences are of the same kind when they are punishable with the same amount
of punishment under the same section of the Indian Penal Code or of any special
or local law:
Provided that, for the purposes of this section, an offence punishable
under section 379 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) shall be deemed to be an
offence of the same kind as an offence punishable under section 380 of the said
Code,(45 of 1860) and that an offence punishable under any section of the said
Code, or of any special or local law, shall be deemed to be an offence of the
same kind as an attempt to commit such offence, when such an attempt is an
offence.
Section 220
Trial for more than one offence.
(1) If, in one series of acts so connected
together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed
by the same person, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every
such offence.
(2) When a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust
or dishonest misappropriation of property as provided in sub-section (2) of
section 212 or in sub-section (1) of section 219, is accused of committing, for
the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or
those offences, one or more offences of falsification of accounts, he may be
charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
(3) If the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more
separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences
are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and
tried at one trial for, each of such offences.
(4) If several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or
themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence,
the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for the
offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted
by any one, or more, of such acts.
(5) Nothing contained in this section shall affect section 71 of the Indian
Penal Code(45 of 1860).
Illustrationsto sub-section (1)
(a) A rescues B, a person in lawful custody,
and in so doing causes grievous hurt to C, a constable in whose custody B was.
A may be charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 225 and 333 of
the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).
(b) A commits house-breaking by day with
intent to commit adultery, and commits, in the house so entered, adultery with
B's wife. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under
sections 454 and 497 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(c) A entices B, the wife of C, away from C,
with intent to commit adultery with B, and then commits adultery with her. A
may be separately charged with , and convicted of, offences under sections 498
and 497 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).
(d) A has in his possession several seals,
knowing them to be counterfeit and intending to use them for the purpose of
committing several forgeries punishable under section 466 of the Indian Penal
Code(45 of 1860).A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, the
possession of each seal under section 473 of the Indian Penal Code.
(e) With intent to cause injury to B, A
institutes a criminal proceeding against him, knowing that there is no just or
lawful ground for such proceeding, and also falsely accuses B of having
committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such
charge. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, two offences under
section 211 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).
(f) A, with intent to cause injury to B,
falsely accuses him of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no
just or lawful ground for such charge. On the trial, A gives false evidence
against B, intending thereby to cause B to be convicted of a capital offence. A
may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 211
and 194 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).
(g) A, with six others, commits the offences
of rioting, grievous hurt and assaulting a public servant endeavoring in the
discharge of his duty as such to suppress the riot. A may be separately charged
with, and convicted of offences under sections 147, 325 and 152 of the Indian
Penal Code(45 of 1860).
(h) A threatens B, C and D at the same time
with injury to their persons with intent to cause alarm to them. A may be
separately charged with, and convicted of, each of the three offences under
section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
The separate charges referred to in
Illustrations (a) to (h), respectively, may be tried at the same time.
(I) Where it is doubtful what offence has been
committed.- A wrongfully strikes B with a cane. A may be separately charged
with and convicted of, offences under sections 352 and 323 of the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860).
(j) Several stolen sacks of corn are made over to A and B, who knew they are
stolen property, for the purpose of concealing them. A and B thereupon
voluntarily assist each other to conceal the sacks at the bottom of a
grain-pita and B may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences
under sections 41 and 414 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(k) A exposes her child with the knowledge
that she is thereby likely to cause its death. The child dies in consequence of
such exposure. A may be separately charged with and convicted of, offences
under sections 317 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(l) A dishonestly uses a forged document as
genuine evidence, in order to convict B, a public servant, of an offence under
section 167 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860).A may be separately charged
with, and convicted of, offences under sections 471 (read with section 466) and
196 of that Code.
Illustrationto sub-section (4)
(m) A commits robbery on B, and in doing so
voluntarily causes hurt to him. A may be separately charged with, and convicted
of, offences under sections 323, 392 and 394 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of
1860).
Section 221
Trial for more than one offence-1
(1) If a single act or series of acts is of such a nature that it is
doubtful which of several offences the facts which can be proved will
constitute, the accused may be charged with having committed all or any of such
offences , and any number of such charges may be tried at once; or he may be
charged in the alternative with having committed some one of the said offences.
(2) If in such a case the accused is charged with one offence, and it appears
in evidence that he committed a different offence for which he might have been
charged under the provisions of sub-section (1), he may be convicted of the
offence which he is shown to have committed, although he was not charged with
it.
Illustrations
(a) A is accused of an act which may amount to theft, or receiving stolen
property, or criminal breach of trust or cheating. He may be charged with
theft, receiving stolen property, criminal breach of trust and cheating, or he
may be charged with having committed theft, or receiving stolen property, or
criminal breach of trust or cheating.
(b) In the case mentioned, A is only charged with theft. It appears that he
committed the offence of criminal breach of trust, or that of receiving stolen
goods. He may be convicted of criminal breach of trust or of receiving stolen
goods (as the case may be), though he was not charged with such offence.
(c) A states on oath before the Magistrate that he saw B hit C with a club.
Before the Sessions Court A states on oath that B never hit C.A may be charged
in the alternative and convicted of intentionally giving false evidence,
although it cannot be proved which of these contradictory statements was false.
Section 222
When offence proved included in offence charged.
(1) When a person is charged with an offence
consisting of several particulars, a combination of some only of which
constitutes a complete minor offence, and such combination is proved, but the
remaining particulars are not proved, he may be convicted of the minor offence,
though he was not charged with it.
(2) When a person is charged with an offence and facts are proved which reduce
it to a minor offence, he may be convicted of the minor offence, although he is
not charged with it.
(3) When a person is charged with an offence, he may be convicted of an attempt
to commit such offence although the attempt is not separately charged.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorize a conviction of any
minor offence where the conditions requisite for the initiation of proceedings
in respect of that minor offence have not been satisfied.
Illustrations
(a) A is charged, under section 407 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) with
criminal breach of trust in respect of property entrusted to him as a carrier.
It appears, that he did commit criminal breach of trust under section 406 of
that Code in respect of the property, but that it was not entrusted to him as a
carrier. He may be convicted of criminal breach of trust under the said section
406.
(b) A is charged, under section 325 of the Indian Penal Code, with causing
grievous hurt. He proves that he acted on grave and sudden provocation. he may
be convicted under section 335 of that Code (45 of 1860).
Section 223
What persons may be charged jointly.
The following persons may be charged and tried
together, namely:-
(a) persons accused of the same offence committed in the course of the same
transaction;
(b) persons accused of an offence and persons accused of abetment of, or
attempt to commit, such offence;
(c) persons accused of more than one offence of the same kind, within the
meaning of section 219 committed by them jointly within the period of twelve
months;
(d) persons accused of different offences committed in the course of the same
transaction;
(e) persons accused of an offence which includes theft, extortion, cheating, or
criminal misappropriation, and persons accused of receiving or retaining, or
assisting in the disposal or concealment of, property possession of which is
alleged to have been transferred by any such offence committed by the
first-named persons, or of abetment of or attempting to commit any such
last-named offence;
(f) persons accused of offences under sections 411 and 414 of the Indian Penal
Code(45 of 1860) or either of those sections in respect of stolen property the
possession of which has been transferred by one offence;
(g) Persons accused of any offence under Chapter XII of the Indian Penal
Code(45 of1860) relating to counterfeit coin and persons accused of any other
offence under the said Chapter relating to the same coin, or of abetment of or
attempting to commit any such offence; and the provisions contained in the
former part of this Chapter shall, so far as may be, apply to all such charges:
Provided that where a number of persons are charged with separate
offences and such persons do not fall within any of the categories specified in
this section, the Magistrate may, if such persons by an application in writing,
so desire, and if he is satisfied that such persons would not be prejudicially
affected thereby, and it is expedient so to do, try all such persons together.
Section 224
Withdrawal of remaining charges on conviction on one of several
charges.-
When a charge containing more heads than one
is framed against the same person, and when a conviction has been had on one or
more of them, the complainant, or the officer conducting the prosecution, may,
with the consent of the Court, withdraw the remaining charge or charges, or the
Court of its own accord may stay the inquiry into, or trial of, such charge or
charges and such withdrawal shall have the effect of an acquittal on such charge
or charges, unless the conviction be set aside, in which case the said Court
(subject to the order of the Court setting aside the conviction) may proceed
with the inquiry into, or trial of, the charge of charges so withdrawn.
Section 225
Trial to be conducted by Public Prosecutor.
In every trial before a Court of Session, the
prosecution shall be conducted by a Public Prosecutor.
Section 226
Opening case for prosecution.
When the accused appears or is brought before
the Court in pursuance of a commitment of the case under section 209, the
prosecutor shall open his case by describing the charge brought against the
accused and stating by what evidence he proposes to prove the guilt of the
accused.
Section 227
Discharge
If, upon consideration of the record of the
case and the documents submitted therewith, and after hearing the submissions
of the accused and the prosecution in this behalf, the Judge considers that
there is not sufficient ground for proceeding against the accused, he shall
discharge the accused and record his reasons for so doing.
Section 228
Framing of charge.
(1) If, after such
consideration and hearing as aforesaid, the Judge, is of opinion that there is
ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence which -
(a) is not exclusively
triable by the Court of Session, he may, frame a charge against the accused
and, by order, transfer the case for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate,
and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate shall try the offence in accordance
with the procedure for the trial of warrant-cases instituted on a police
report;
(b) is exclusively triable by the Court, he shall frame in writing a charge
against the accused.
(2) Where the Judge frames any charge under
clause (b) of sub-section (1), the charge shall be read and explained to the
accused and the accused shall be asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence
charged or claims to be tried.
Section 229
Conviction on plea of guilty.
If the accused pleads guilty, the Judge shall
record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.
Section 230
Date for prosecution evidence.
If the accused refuses to plead, or does not
plead, or claims to be tried or is not convicted under section 229, the Judge
shall fix a date for the examination of witnesses, and may, on the application
of the prosecution, issue any process for compelling the attendance of any
witness or the production of any document or other thing.
Section 231
Evidence for prosecution.
(1) On the date so fixed, the Judge shall
proceed to take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the
prosecution.
(2) The Judge may, in his discretion, permit
the cross-examination of any witness to be deferred until any other witness or
witnesses have been examined or recall any witness for further
cross-examination.
Section 232
Acquittal
If, after taking the evidence for the
prosecution, examining the accused and hearing the prosecution and the defense
on the point, the Judge considers that there is no evidence that the accused
committed the offence, the Judge shall record an order of acquittal.
Section 233
Entering upon defense.
(1) Where the accused is not acquitted under
section 232, he shall be called upon to enter on his defense and adduce any
evidence he may have in support thereof.
(2) If the accused puts in any written statement, the Judge shall file it with
the record.
(3) If the accused applies for the issue of any process for compelling the
attendance of any witness or the production of any document or thing, the Judge
shall issue such process unless he considers, for reasons to be recorded, that
such application should be refused on the ground that it is made for the
purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice.
Section 234
Arguments
When the examination of the witnesses (if any)
for the defense is complete, the prosecutor shall sum up his case and the
accused or his pleader shall be entitled to reply:
Providedthat where any point of law is raised
by the accused or his pleader, the prosecution may, with the permission of the
Judge, make his submissions with regard to such point of law.
Section 235
Judgment of acquittal of conviction.
(1) After hearing arguments and points of law
(if any), the Judge shall give a judgment in the case.
(2) If the accused is convicted, the Judge shall, unless he proceeds in
accordance with the provisions of section 360, hear the accused on the
questions of sentence, and then pass sentence on him according to law.
Section 236
Previous conviction.
In a case where a previous conviction is
charged under the provisions of sub-section (7) of section 211, and the accused
does not admit that he has been previously convicted as alleged in the charge,
the Judge may, after he has convicted the said accused under section 229 or
section 235, take evidence in respect of the alleged previous conviction, and
shall record a finding thereon:
Provided that no such charge shall be read out by the Judge nor shall
the accused be asked to plead thereto nor shall the previous conviction be
referred to by the prosecution or in any evidence adduced by it, unless and
until the accused has been convicted under section 229 or section 235.
Section 237
Procedure in cases instituted under section 199(2).
(1) A Court of Session taking cognizance of an
offence under sub-section (2) of section 199 shall try the case in accordance
with the procedure for the trial of warrant-cases instituted otherwise than on
a police report before a Court of Magistrate:
Provided that the person against whom the offence is alleged to have
been committed shall, unless the Court of Session, for reasons to be recorded,
otherwise directs, be examined as a witness for the prosecution.
(2) Every trial under this section shall be held in camera if either party
thereto so desires or if the Court thinks fit so to do.
(3) If, in any such case, the Court discharges or acquits all or any of the
accused and is of opinion that there was no reasonable cause for making the
accusation against them or any of them, it may, by its order of discharge or
acquittal, direct the person against whom the offence was alleged to have been
committed (other than the President, Vice-President or the Governor of a State
or the Administrator of a Union territory) to show cause why he should not pay
compensation to such accused or to each or any of such accused, when there are
more than one.
(4) The Court shall record and consider any cause which may be shown by the
person so directed, and if it is satisfied that there was no reasonable cause
for making the accusation, it may, for reasons to be recorded , make an order
that compensation to such amount not exceeding one thousand rupees, as it may
determine, be paid by such person to the accused or to each or any of them.
(5) Compensation awarded under sub-section (4) shall be recovered as if it were
a fine imposed by a Magistrate.
(6) No person who has been directed to pay compensation under sub-section (4)
shall, by reason of such order, be exempted from any civil or criminal
liability in respect of the complaint made under this section:
Providedthat any amount paid to an accused
person under this section shall be taken into account in awarding compensation
to such person in any subsequent civil suit relating to the same matter.
(7) The person who has been ordered under sub-section (4) to pay compensation
may appeal from the order, in so far as it relates to the payment of
compensation, to the High Court.
(8) When an order for payment of compensation to an accused person is made, the
compensation shall not be paid to him before the period allowed for the
presentation of the appeal has elapsed, or, if an appeal is presented, before
the appeal has been decided.
Section 238
Compliance with section 207.
When, in any warrant-case instituted on a
police report, the accused appears or is brought before a Magistrate at the
commencement of the trial, the Magistrate shall satisfy himself that he has
complied with the provisions of section 207.
Section 239
When accused shall be discharged.
If, upon considering the police report and the
documents sent with it under section 173 and making such examination, if any,
of the accused as the Magistrate thinks necessary and after giving the
prosecution and the accused an opportunity of being heard, the Magistrate
considers the charge against the accused to be groundless, he shall discharge
the accused, and record his reasons for so doing.
Section 240
Framing of charge.
(1) If, upon such consideration, examination,
if any, and hearing, the Magistrate is of opinion that there is ground for
presuming that the accused has committed an offence triable under this Chapter,
which such Magistrate is competent to try and which, in his opinion, could be
adequately punished by him, he shall frame in writing a charge against the
accused.
(2) The charge shall then be read and explained to the accused, and he shall be
asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence charged or claims to be tried.
Section 241
Conviction on plea of guilty.
If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate
shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.
Section 242
Evidence for prosecution.
(1) If the accused refuses to plead or does
not plead, or claims to be tried or the Magistrate does not convict the accused
under section 241, the Magistrate shall fix a date for the examination of
witnesses.
(2) The Magistrate may, on the application of the prosecution, issue a summons
to any of its witnesses directing him to attend or to produce any document or
other thing.
(3) On the date so fixed, the Magistrate shall proceed to take all such
evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution:
Provided that the Magistrate may permit the cross-examination of any
witness to be deferred until any other witness or witnesses have been examined
or recall any witness for further cross-examination.
Section 243
Evidence for defense.
(1) The accused shall then be called upon to
enter upon his defense and produce his evidence; and if the accused puts in any
written statement, the Magistrate shall file it with the record.
(2) If the accused, after he has entered upon his defense, applies to the
Magistrate to issue any process for compelling the attendance of any witness
for the purpose of examination or cross-examination, or the production of any
document or other thing, the Magistrate shall issue such process unless he
considers that such application should be refused on the ground that it is made
for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice and
such ground shall be recorded by him in writing:
Provided that, when the accused has cross-examined or had the
opportunity of cross-examining any witness before entering on his defense, the
attendance of such witness shall not be compelled under this section, unless
the Magistrate is satisfied that it is necessary for the ends of justice.
(3) The Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on an application under
sub-section (2), require that the reasonable incurred by the witness in
attending for the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.
Section 244
Evidence for prosecution.
(1) When, in any warrant-case instituted
otherwise than on a police report, the accused appears or is brought before a
Magistrate, the Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all
such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution.
(2) The Magistrate may, on the application of the prosecution, issue a summons
to any of its witnesses directing him to attend or to produce any document or
other thing.
Section 245
When accused shall be discharged.
(1) If, upon taking all the evidence referred
to in section 244, the Magistrate considers, for reasons to be recorded, that
no case against the accused has been made out which, if unrebutted, would
warrant his conviction, the Magistrate shall discharge him.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent a Magistrate from
discharging the accused at any previous stage of the case if, for reasons to be
recorded by such Magistrate, he considers the charge to be groundless.
Section 246
Procedure where accused is not discharged.
(1) If, when such evidence has been taken, or
at any previous stage of the case, the Magistrate is of opinion that there is
ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence triable under
this Chapter, which such Magistrate is competent to try and which, in his
opinion, could be adequately punished by him, he shall frame in writing a
charge against the accused.
(2) The charge shall then be read and
explained to the accused, and he shall be asked whether he pleads guilty or has
any defense to make.
(3) If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea, and
may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.
(4) If the accused refuses to plead, or does not plead or claims to be tried or
if the accused is not convicted under sub-section (3), he shall be required to
state, at the commencement of the next hearing of the case, or, if the
Magistrate for reasons to be recorded in writing so thinks fit, forthwith,
whether he wishes to cross-examine any, and, if so, which, of the witnesses for
the prosecution whose evidence has been taken.
(5) If he says he does so wish, the witnesses named by him shall be recalled
and, after cross-examination and re-examination (if any), they shall be
discharged.
(6) The evidence of any remaining witnesses for the prosecution shall next be
taken, and after cross-examination and re-examination (if any), they shall also
be discharged.
Section 247
Evidence for defense.
The accused shall then be called upon to enter
upon his defense and produce his evidence; and the provisions of section 243
shall apply to the case.
Section 248
Acquittal or conviction.
(1) If, in any case under this Chapter in
which a charge has been framed, the Magistrate finds the accused not guilty, he
shall record an order of acquittal.
(2) Where, in any case under this Chapter, the Magistrate finds the accused
guilty, but does not proceed in accordance with the provisions of section 325
or section 360, he shall, after hearing the accused on the question of
sentence, pass sentence upon him according to law.
(3) Where, in any case under this Chapter, a previous conviction is charged under
the provisions of sub-section (7) of section 211 and the accused does not admit
that he has been previously convicted as alleged in the charge, the Magistrate
may, after he has convicted the said accused, take evidence in respect of the
alleged previous conviction, and shall record a finding thereon:
Provided that no such charge shall be read out by the Magistrate no
shall the accused be asked to plead thereto no shall the previous conviction be
referred to by the prosecution or in any evidence adduced by it, unless and
until the accused has been convicted under sub-section (2).
Section 249
Absence of complainant.
When the proceedings have been instituted upon
complaint, and on any day fixed for the hearing of the case, the complainant is
absent, and the offence may be lawfully compounded or is not a cognizable
offence, the Magistrate may, in his discretion, notwithstanding anything
hereinbefore contained, at any time before the charge has been framed,
discharge the accused.
Section 250
Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause.
(1) If, in any case instituted upon complaint
or upon information given to a police officer or to a Magistrate, one or more
persons is or are accused before a Magistrate of any offence triable by a
Magistrate, and the Magistrate by whom the case is heard discharges or acquits
all or any of the accused, and is of opinion that there was no reasonable
ground for making the accusation against them or any of them, the Magistrate
may, by his order of discharge or acquittal, if the person upon whose complaint
or information the accusation was made is present, call upon him forthwith to
show cause why he should not pay compensation to such accused or to each or any
of such accused when there are more than one; or, if such person is not
present, direct the issue of a summons to him to appear and show cause as
aforesaid.
(2) The Magistrate shall record and consider any cause which such complainant
or informant may show, and if he is satisfied that there was no reasonable
ground for making the accusation, may, for reasons to be recorded, make an
order that compensation to such amount, not exceeding the amount of fine he is
empowered to impose, as he may determine, be paid by such complainant or
informant to the accused or to each or any of them.
(3) The Magistrate may, by the order directing payment of the compensation
under sub-section (2), further order that, in default of payment, the person
ordered to pay such compensation shall undergo simple imprisonment for a period
not exceeding thirty days.
(4) When any person is imprisoned under sub-section (3), the provisions of
sections 68 and 69 of the Indian Penal Code shall, so far as may be, apply.
(5) No person who has been directed to pay compensation under this section
shall, by reason of such order, be exempted from any civil or criminal
liability in respect of the complaint made or information given by him:
Providedthat any amount paid to an accused
person under this section shall be taken into account in awarding compensation
to such person in any subsequent civil suit relating to the same matter.
(6) A complainant or informant who has been ordered under sub-section (2) by a
Magistrate of the second class to pay compensation exceeding one hundred
rupees, may appeal from the order, as if such complainant or informant had been
convicted on a trial held by such Magistrate.
(7) When an order for payment of compensation to an accused person is made in a
case which is subject to appeal under sub-section (6), the compensation shall
not be paid to him before the period allowed for the presentation of the appeal
has elapsed, or, if an appeal is presented, before the appeal has been decided;
and where such order is made in a case which is not so subject to appeal the
compensation shall not be paid before the expiration of one month from the date
of the order.
(8) The provisions of this section apply to summons-cases as well as to
warrant-cases.
Section 251
Substance of accusation to be stated.
When in a summons-case the accused appears or
is brought before the Magistrate, the particulars of the offence of which he is
accused shall be stated to him, and he shall be asked whether he pleads guilty
or has any defense to make, but it shall not be necessary to frame a formal
charge.
Section 252
Conviction on plea of guilty.
If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate
shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the accused
and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.
Section 253
Conviction on plea of guilty in absence of accused in petty cases.
(1) Where a summons has been issued under
section 206 and the accused desires to plead guilty to the charge without
appearing before the Magistrate, he shall transmit to the Magistrate, by post or
by messenger, a letter containing his plea and also the amount of fine
specified in the summons.
(2) The Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict the accused in his absence,
on his plea of guilty and sentence him to pay the fine specified in the summons,
and the amount transmitted by the accused shall be adjusted towards that fine,
or where a pleader authorized by the accused in this behalf pleads guilty on
behalf of the accused, the Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as
possible in the words used by the pleader and may, in his discretion, convict
the accused on such plea and sentence him as aforesaid.
Section 254
Procedure when not convicted.
(1) If the Magistrate does not convict the
accused under section 252 or section 253, the Magistrate shall proceed to hear
the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the
prosecution, and also to hear the accused and take all such evidence as he
produces in his defense.
(2) The Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the prosecution
or the accused, issue a summons to any witness directing him to attend or to
produce any document or other thing.
(3) The Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application,
require that the reasonable expenses of the witness incurred in attending for
the purposes of the trial be deposited in Court.
Section 255
Acquittal or conviction.
(1) If the Magistrate, upon taking the
evidence referred to in section 254 and such further evidence, if any, as he
may, of his own motion, cause to be produced, finds the accused not guilty, he
shall record an order of acquittal.
(2) Where the Magistrate does not proceed in accordance with the provisions of
section 325 or section 360, he shall, if he finds the accused guilty, pass
sentence upon him according to law.
(3) A Magistrate may, under section 252 or section 255, convict the accused of
any offence triable under this Chapter, which from the facts admitted or proved
he appears to have committed, whatever may be the nature of the complaint or
summons, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the accused would not be
prejudiced thereby.
Section 256
Non-appearance or death of complainant.
(1) If the summons has been issued on
complaint, and on the day appointed for the appearance of the accused, or any
day subsequent thereto to which the hearing may be adjourned, the complainant
does not appear, the Magistrate shall, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore
contained, acquit the accused, unless for some reason he thinks it proper to
adjourn the hearing of the case to some other day:
Provided that where the complainant is represented by a pleader or by
the officer conducting the prosecution or where the Magistrate is of opinion
that the personal attendance of the complainant is not necessary, the Magistrate
may dispense with his attendance and proceed with the case.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall, so far as may be, apply also to
cases where the non-appearance of the complainant is due to his death.
Section 257
Withdrawal of complaint.
If a complainant, at any time before a final
order is passed in any case under this Chapter, satisfies the Magistrate that
there are sufficient grounds for permitting him to withdraw his complaint
against the accused, or if there be more than one accused, against all or any
of them, the Magistrate may permit him to withdraw the same, and shall
thereupon acquit the accused against whom the complaint is so withdrawn.
Section 258
Power to stop proceedings in certain cases.
In any summons-case instituted otherwise than
upon complaint, a Magistrate of the first class or, with the previous sanction
of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, any other Judicial Magistrate, may, for
reasons to be recorded by him, stop the proceedings at any stage without
pronouncing any judgment and where such stoppage of proceedings is made after
the evidence of the principal witnesses has been recorded, pronounce a judgment
of acquittal, and in any other case, release the accused, and such release
shall have the effect of discharge.
Section 259
Power of Court to convert summons-cases into warrant-cases.
When in the course of the trial of a
summons-case relating to an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term
exceeding six months, it appears to the Magistrate that in the interests of
justice, the offence should be tried in accordance with the procedure for the
trial of warrant-cases, such Magistrate may proceed to re-hear the case in the
manner provided by this Code for the trial of warrant-cases and may re-call any
witness who may have been examined.
Section 260
Power to try summarily.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Code-
(a) any Chief Judicial Magistrate;
(b) any Metropolitan Magistrate;
(c) any Magistrate of the first class specially empowered in this behalf by the
High Court, may, if he thinks fit, try in a summary way all or any of the
following offences:
(i) offences not punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment
for a term exceeding two years;
(ii) theft, under section 379, section 380 or section 381 of the Indian Penal
Code, (45 of 1860) where the value of the property stolen does not exceed two
hundred rupees;
(iii) receiving or retaining stolen property, under section 411 of the Indian
Penal Code, (45 of 1860) where the value of the property does not exceed two
hundred rupees;
(iv) assisting in the concealment or disposal of stolen property, under section
414 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) where the value of such property
does not exceed two hundred rupees;
(v) offences under sections 454 and 456 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860);
(vi) insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, under section 504,
and criminal intimidation, under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of
1860);
(vii) abetment of any of the foregoing offences;
(viii) an attempt to commit any of the foregoing offences, when such attempt is
an offence;
(ix) any offence constituted by an act in respect of which a complaint may be
made under section 20 of the Cattle-trespass Act, 1871(1 of 1871).
(2) When, in the course of a summary trial it appears to the Magistrate that
the nature of the case is such that it is undesirable to try it summarily, the
Magistrate shall recall any witnesses who may have been examined and proceed to
re-hear the case in the manner provided by this Code.
Section 261
Summary trial by Magistrate of the second class.
The High Court may confer on any Magistrate
invested with the powers of a Magistrate of the second class power to try
summarily any offence which is punishable only with fine or with imprisonment
for a term not exceeding six months with or without fine, and any abetment of
or attempt to commit any such offence.
Section 262
Procedure for summary trials.
(1) In trials under this Chapter, the
procedure specified in this Code for the trial of summons-case shall be
followed except as hereinafter mentioned.
(2) No sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding three months shall be
passed in the case of any conviction under this Chapter.
Section 263
Record in summary trials.
In every case tried summarily, the Magistrate
shall enter, in such form as the State Government may direct, the following
particulars, namely:-
(a) the serial number of the case:
(b) the date of the commission of the offence;
(c) the date of the report or complaint;
(d) the name of the complainant (if any);
(e) the name, parentage and residence of the accused;
(f) the offence complained of and the offence (if any) proved, and in cases
coming under clause (ii), clause (iii) or clause (iv) of sub-section (1) of
section 260, the value of the property in respect of which the offence has been
committed;
(g) the plea of the accused and his examination (if any);
(h) the finding;
(i) the sentence or other final order
(j) the date on which proceedings terminated.
Section 264
Judgment in cases tried summarily.
In every case tried summarily in which the
accused does not plead guilty, the Magistrate shall record the substance of the
evidence and a judgment containing a brief statement of the reasons for the
finding.
Section 265
Language of record and judgment.
(1) Every such record and judgment shall be
written in the language of the Court.
(2) The High Court may authorize any Magistrate empowered to try offences
summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an
officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and the
record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.
Section 266
Definitions.
In this Chapter, -
(a) "detained">includes detained under any law providing for
preventive detention;
(b) "prison">includes, -
(i) any place which has been declared by the State Government, by general or
special order, to be a subsidiary jail;
(ii) any reformatory, Borstal institution or other institution of a like
nature.
Section 267
Power to require attendance of prisoners.
(1) Whenever, in the course of an inquiry,
trial or other proceeding under this Code, it appears to a Criminal Court,-
(a) that a person confined or detained in a prison should be brought before the
Court for answering to a charge of an offence, or for the purpose of any
proceedings against him, or
(b) that it is necessary for the ends of justice to examine such person as a
witness, the Court may make an order requiring the officer in charge of the
prison to produce such person before the Court for answering to the charge or
for the purpose of such proceeding or, as the case may be, for giving evidence.
(2) Where an order under sub-section (1) is
made by a Magistrate of the second class, it shall not be forwarded to, or
acted upon by, the officer in charge of the prison unless it is countersigned
by the Chief Judicial Magistrate to whom such Magistrate is subordinate.
(3) Every order submitted for countersigning under sub-section (2) shall be
accompanied by a statement of the facts which, in the opinion of the
Magistrate, render the order necessary, and the Chief Judicial Magistrate to
whom it is submitted may, after considering such statement, decline to
countersign the order.
Section 268
Power of State Government to exclude certain persons from operation of
section 267.-
(1) The State Government may, at any time,
having regard to the matters specified in sub-section (2), by general or special
order, direct that any person or class of persons shall not be removed from the
prison in which he or they may be confined or detained, and thereupon, so long
as the order remains in force, no order made under section 267, whether before
or after the order of the State Government, shall have effect in respect of
such person or class of persons.
(2) Before making an order under sub-section (1), the State Government shall
have regard to the following matters, namely:-
(a) the nature of the offence for which, or the grounds on which, the person or
class of persons has been ordered to be confined or detained in prison;
(b) the likelihood of the disturbance of public order if the person or class of
persons is allowed to be removed from the prison;
(c) the public interest, generally.
Section 269
Officer in charge of prison to abstain
from carrying out order in certain contingencies.-
Where the person in respect of whom an order
is made under section 267-
(a) is by reason of sickness or infirmity unfit to be removed from the prison;
or
(b) is under committal for trial or under remand pending trial or pending a
preliminary investigation; or
(c) is in custody for a period which would expire before the expiration of the
time required for complying with the order and for taking him back to the
prison in which he is confined or detained; or
(d) is a person to whom an order made by the State Government under section 268
applies, the officer in charge of the prison shall abstain from carrying out
the Court's order and shall send to the Court a statement of reasons for so
abstaining:
Provided that where the attendance of such person is required for giving
evidence at a place not more than twenty-five kilometers distant from the
prison, the officer in charge of the prison shall not so abstain for the reason
mentioned in clause (b).
Section 270
Prisoner to be brought to Court in custody.
Subject to the provisions of section 269, the
officer in charge of the prison shall, upon delivery of an order made under
sub-section (1) of section 267 and duly countersigned, where necessary, under
sub-section (2) thereof, cause the person named in the order to be taken to the
Court in which his attendance is required, so as to be present there at the
time mentioned in the order, and shall cause him to be kept in custody in or
near the Court until he has been examined or until the Court authorizes him to
be taken back to the prison in which he was confined or detained.
Section 271
Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison.
The provisions of this Chapter shall be
without prejudice to the power of the Court to issue, under section 284, a
commission for the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or
detained in a prison; and the provisions of Part B of Chapter XXIII shall apply
in relation to the examination on commission of any such person in the prison
as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.
Section 272
Language of Courts.
The State Government may determine what shall
be, for purposes of this Code, the language of each Court within the State
other than the High Court.
Section 273
Evidence to be taken in presence of accused.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, all
evidence taken in the course of the trial or other proceeding shall be taken in
the presence of the accused, or, when his personal attendance is dispensed
with, in the presence of his pleader.
Explanation.-In this section, "accused" includes a person in
relation to whom any proceeding under Chapter VIII has been commenced under
this Code.
Section 274
Record in summons cases and inquiries.
(1) In all summons-cases tried before a
Magistrate, in all inquiries under sections 145 to 148 (both inclusive), and in
all proceedings under section 446 otherwise than in the course of a trial, the
Magistrate shall, as the examination of each witness proceeds, make a
memorandum of the substance of the evidence in the language of the Court:
Provided that if the Magistrate is unable to make such memorandum
himself, he shall, after recording the reason of his inability, cause such
memorandum to be made in writing or from his dictation in open Court.
(2) Such memorandum shall be signed by the Magistrate and shall form part of
the record.
Section 275
Record in warrant-cases.
(1) In all warrant-cases tried before a
Magistrate, the evidence of each witness shall, as his examination proceeds, be
taken down in writing either by the Magistrate himself or by his dictation in
open Court or, where he is unable to do so owing to a physical or other
incapacity, under his direction and superintendence, by an officer of the Court
appointed by him in this behalf.
(2) Where the Magistrate causes the evidence to be taken down, he shall record
a certificate that 1he evidence could not be taken down by himself for the
reasons referred to in sub-section (1).
(3) Such evidence shall ordinarily be taken down in the form of a narrative;
but the Magistrate may, in his discretion take down, or cause to be taken down,
any part of such evidence in the form of question and answer.
(4) The evidence so taken down shall be signed by the Magistrate and shall form
part of the record.
Section 276
Record in trial before Court of Session.
(1) In all trials before a Court of Session,
the evidence of each witness shall, as his examination proceeds, be taken down
in writing either by the presiding Judge himself or by his dictation in open
Court or, under his direction and superintendence, by an officer of the Court
appointed by him in this behalf.
(2) Such evidence shall ordinarily be taken down in the form of question and
answer; but the presiding Judge may, in his discretion, take down or cause to
be taken down, the whole or any part of such evidence in the form of a
narrative.
(3) The evidence so taken down shall be signed by the presiding Judge and shall
form part of the record.
Section 277
Language of record of evidence.
In every case where evidence is taken down
under section 275 or section 276,-
(a) if the witness gives evidence in the language of the Court, it shall be
taken down in that language;
(b) if he gives evidence in any other language, it may, if practicable, be
taken down in that language, and if it is not practicable to do so, a true
translation of the evidence in the language of the Court shall be prepared as
the examination of the witness proceeds, signed by the Magistrate or presiding
Judge, and shall form part of the record;
(c) where under clause (b) evidence is taken down in a language other than the
language of the Court, a true translation thereof in the language of the Court
shall be prepared as soon as practicable, signed by the Magistrate or presiding
Judge, and shall form part of the record:
Provided that when under clause (b) evidence is taken down in English
and a translation thereof in the language of the Court is not required by any
of the parties, the Court may dispense with such translation.
Section 278
Procedure in regard to such evidence when completed.
(1) As the evidence of each witness taken
under section 275 or section 276 is completed, it shall be read over to him in
the presence of the accused, if in attendance, or of his pleader, if he appears
by pleader, and shall, if necessary, be corrected.
(2) If the witness denies the correctness of any part of the evidence when the
same is read over to him, the Magistrate or presiding Judge may, instead of
correcting the evidence, make a memorandum thereon of the objection made to it
by the witness and shall add such remarks as he thinks necessary.
(3) If the record of the evidence is in a language different from that in which
it has been given and the witness does not understand that language, the record
shall be interpreted to him in the language in which it was given, or in a
language which he understands.
Section 279
Interpretation of evidence to accused or his pleader.
(1) Whenever any evidence is given in a
language not understood by the accused, and he is present in Court in person,
it shall be interpreted to him in open Court in a language understood by him.
(2) If he appears by pleader and the evidence is given in a language other than
the language of the Court, and not understood by the pleader, it shall be
interpreted to such pleader in that language.
(3) When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the
discretion of the Court to interpret as much thereof as appears necessary.
Section 280
Remarks respecting demeanour of witness.
When a presiding Judge or Magistrate has
recorded the evidence of a witness, he shall also record such remarks (if any)
as he thinks material respecting the demeanour of such witness whilst under
examination.
Section 281
Record of examination of accused.
(1) Whenever the accused is examined by a
Metropolitan Magistrate, the Magistrate shall make a memorandum of the
substance of the examination of the accused in the language of the Court and
such memorandum shall be signed by the Magistrate and shall form part of the
record.
(2) Whenever, the accused is examined by any Magistrate other than a
Metropolitan Magistrate, or by a Court of Session, the whole of such
examination, including every question put to him and every answer given by him,
shall be recorded in full by the presiding Judge or Magistrate himself or where
he is unable to do so owing to a physical or other incapacity, under his
direction and superintendence by an officer of the Court appointed by him in
this behalf.
(3) The record shall, if practicable, be in the language in which the accused
is examined or, if that is not practicable, in the language of the Court.
(4) The record shall be shown or read to the accused, or, if he does not
understand the language in which it is written, shall be interpreted to him in
a language which he understands, and he shall be at liberty to explain or add
to his answers.
(5) It shall thereafter be signed by the accused and by the Magistrate or
presiding Judge, who shall certify under his own hand that the examination was
taken in his presence and hearing and that the record contains a full and true
account of the statement made by the accused.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to the examination of an
accused person in the course of a summary trial.
Section 282
Interpreter to be bound to interpret truthfully.
When the services of an interpreter are
required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or
statement, he shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence
or statement.
Section 283
Record in High Court.
Every High Court may, by general rule,
prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of
the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it; and such evidence
and examination shall be taken down in accordance with such rule.
Section 284
When attendance of witness may be dispensed with and commission issued.
(1) Whenever, in the course of any inquiry,
trial or other proceeding under this Code, it appears to a Court or Magistrate
that the examination of a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, and
that the attendance of such witness cannot be procured without an amount of
delay, expense or inconvenience which, under the circumstances of the case,
would be unreasonable, the Court or Magistrate may dispense with such
attendance and may issue a commission for the examination of the witness in
accordance with the provisions of this Chapter:
Provided that where the examination of the President or the
Vice-President of India or the Governor of a State or the Administrator of a
Union territory as a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, a commission
shall be issued for the examination of such a witness.
(2) The Court may, when issuing a commission for the examination of a witness
for the prosecution, direct that such amount as the Court considers reasonable
to meet the expenses of the accused, including the pleader's fees, be paid by
the prosecution.
Section 285
Commission to whom to be issued.
(1) If the witness is within the territories
to which this Code extends, the commission shall be directed to the Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate, as the case may be,
within whose local jurisdiction the witness is to be found.
(2) If the witness is in India , but in a State or an
area to which this Code does not extend, the commission shall be directed to
such Court or officer as the Central Government may, by notification, specify
in this behalf.
(3) If the witness is in a country or place outside India and arrangements have
been made by the Central Government with the Government of such country or
place for taking the evidence of witnesses in relation to criminal matters, the
commission shall be issued in such form, directed to such Court or officer, and
sent to such authority for transmission, as the Central Government may, by
notification, prescribe in this behalf.
Section 286
Execution of commissions.
Upon receipt of the commission, the Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate, or such Metropolitan or
Judicial Magistrate as he may appoint in this behalf, shall summon the witness
before him or proceed to the place where the witness is, and shall take down
his evidence in the same manner, and may for this purpose exercise the same
powers, as in trials of warrant-cases under this Code.
Section 287
Parties may examine witnesses.
(1) The parties to any proceeding under this
Code in which a commission is issued may respectively forward any
interrogatories in writing which the Court or Magistrate directing the
commission may think relevant to the issue, and it shall be lawful for the
Magistrate, Court or officer to whom the commission is directed, or to whom the
duty of executing it is delegated, to examine the witness upon such
interrogatories.
(2) Any such party may appear before such Magistrate, Court or officer by
pleader, or if not in custody, in person, and may examine, cross-examine and
re-examine (as the case may be) the said witness.
Section 288
Return of commission.
(1) After any commission issued under section
284 has been duly executed, it shall be returned, together with the deposition
of the witness examined thereunder, to the Court or Magistrate issuing the
commission; and the commission, the return thereto and the deposition shall be
open at all reasonable times to inspection of the parties, and may, subject to
all just exceptions, be read in evidence in the case by either party, and shall
form part of the record.
(2) Any deposition so taken, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed by
section 33 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, may also be received in evidence
at any subsequent stage of the case before another Court.
Section 289
Adjournment of proceeding.
In every case in which a commission is issued
under section 284, the inquiry, trial or other proceeding may be adjourned for
a specified time reasonably sufficient for the execution and return of the
commission.
Section 290
Execution of foreign commissions.
(1) The provisions of section 286 and so much
of section 287 and section 288 as relate to the execution of a commission and
its return shall apply in respect of commissions issued by any of the Courts,
Judges or Magistrates hereinafter mentioned as they apply to commissions issued
under section 284.
(2) The Courts, Judges and Magistrates referred to in sub-section (1) are-
(a) any such Court, Judge or Magistrate exercising jurisdiction within an area
in India to which this Code
does not extend, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in
this behalf;
(b) any Court, Judge or Magistrate exercising jurisdiction in any such country
or place outside India, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify
in this behalf, and having authority, under the law in force in that country or
place, to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses in relation to
criminal matters.
Section 291
Deposition of medical witness.
(1) The deposition of a civil surgeon or other
medical witness, taken and attested by a Magistrate in the presence of the
accused, or taken on commission under this Chapter, may be given in evidence in
any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, although the deponent
is not called as a witness.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, and shall, on the application of the
prosecution or the accused, summon and examine any such deponent as to the
subject-matter of his deposition.
Section 292
Evidence of the officers of the Mint.
(1) Any document purporting to be a report
under the hand of any such gazetted officer of the Mint or of the India
Security Press (including the office of the Controller of Stamps and
Stationery) as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this
behalf, upon any matter or thing duly submitted to him for examination and
report in the course of any proceeding under this Code, may be used as evidence
in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, although such
officer is not called as a witness.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, summon and examine any such officer as to
the subject-matter of his report:
Provided that no such officer shall be summoned to produce any records
on which the report is based.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sections 123 and 124 of the Indian
Evidence Act, 1872, (1 of 1872) no such officer shall, except with the
permission of the Master of the Mint or the India Security Press or the
Controller of Stamps and Stationery, as the case may be, be permitted -
(a) to give any evidence derived from any unpublished official records on which
the report is based; or
(b) to disclose the nature or particulars of any test applied by him in the
course of the examination of the matter or thing.
Section 293
Reports of certain Government scientific
experts.-
(1) Any document purporting to be a report
under the hand of a Government scientific expert to whom this section applies,
upon any matter or thing duly submitted to him for examination or analysis and
report in the course of any proceeding under this Code, may be used as evidence
in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, summon and examine any such expert as to
the subject-matter of his report.
(3) Where any such expert is summoned by a Court and he is unable to attend
personally, he may, unless the Court has expressly directed him to appear
personally, depute any responsible officer working with him to attend the
Court, if such officer is conversant with the facts of the case and can
satisfactorily depose in Court on his behalf.
(4) This section applies to the following Government scientific experts,
namely:-
(a) any Chemical Examiner or Assistant Chemical Examiner to Government;
(b) the Chief
Inspector of Explosives;
(c) the Director of the Finger Print Bureau;
(d) the Director, Haffkeine Institute,
Bombay ;
(e) the Director of a Central Forensic Science Laboratory or a State Forensic
Science Laboratory;
(f) the Serologist to the Government
Section 294
No formal proof of certain documents.
(1) Where any document is filed before any
Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document
shall be included in a list and the prosecution or the accused, as the case may
be, or the pleader for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called
upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document.
(2) The list of documents shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the
State Government.
(3) Where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, such document may be
read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code
without proof of the signature of the person to whom it purports to be signed:
Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature
to be proved.
Section 295
Affidavit in proof of conduct of public servant.
When any application is made to any Court in
the course of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, and
allegations are made therein respecting any public servant, the applicant may
give evidence of the facts alleged in the application by affidavit, and the
Court may, if it thinks fit, order that evidence relating to such facts be so
given.
Section 296
Evidence of formal character on affidavit
(1) The evidence of any person whose evidence
is of a formal character may be given by affidavit and may, subject to all just
exceptions, be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under
this Code.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, and shall, on the application of the
prosecution or the accused, summon and examine any such person as to the facts
contained in his affidavit.
Section 297
Authorities before whom affidavits may be sworn.
(1) Affidavits to be used before any Court
under this Code may be sworn or affirmed before -
(a) any Judge or Magistrate, or
(b) any Commission of Oaths appointed by a High Court or Court of Session, or
(c) any notary appointed under the Notaries Act, 1952.
(2) Affidavits shall be confined to, and shall
state separately, such facts as the deponent is able to prove from his own
knowledge and such facts as he has reasonable ground to believe to be true, and
in the latter case, the deponent shall clearly state the grounds of such
belief.
(3) The Court may order any scandalous and irrelevant matter in the affidavit
to be struck out or amended.
Section 298
Previous conviction or acquittal how proved.
In any inquiry, trial or other proceeding
under this Code, a previous conviction or acquittal may be proved, in addition
to any other mode provided by any law for the time being in force, -
(a) by an extract certified under the hand of the officer having the custody of
the records of the Court in which such conviction or acquittal was held, to be
a copy of the sentence or order, or
(b) in case of a conviction, either by a certificate signed by the officer in
charge of the jail in which the punishment or any part thereof was undergone,
or by production of the warrant of commitment under which the punishment was
suffered, together with, in each of such cases, evidence as to the identity of
the accused person with the person so convicted or acquitted.
Section 299
Record of evidence in absence of accused.
(1) If it is proved that an accused person has
absconded, and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the Court
competent to try such person for the offence complained of may, in his absence,
examine the witnesses (if any) produced on behalf of the prosecution, and
record their depositions and any such deposition may, on the arrest of such
person, be given in evidence against him on the inquiry into, or trial for, the
offence with which he is charged, if the deponent is dead or incapable of
giving evidence or cannot be found or his presence cannot be procured without
an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience which, under the circumstances of
the case, would be unreasonable.
(2) If it appears that an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for
life has been committed by some person or persons unknown, the High Court or
the Sessions Judge may direct that any Magistrate of the first class shall hold
an inquiry and examine any witnesses who can give evidence concerning the offence
and any depositions so taken may be given in evidence against any person who is
subsequently accused of the offence, if the deponent is dead or incapable of
giving evidence or beyond the limits of India.
Section 300
Person once convicted or acquitted not to be tried for same offence.
(1) A person who has once been tried by a
Court of competent jurisdiction for an offence and convicted or acquitted of
such offence shall, while such conviction or acquittal remains in force, not be
liable to be tried again for the same offence, nor on the same facts for any
other offence for which a different charge from the one made against him might
have been made under sub-section (1) of section 221, or for which he might have
been convicted under sub-section (2) thereof.
(2) A person acquitted or convicted of any offence may be afterwards tried,
with the consent of the State Government, for any distinct offence for which a
separate charge might have been made against him at the former trial under
sub-section (1) of section 220.
(3) A person convicted of any offence constituted by any act causing
consequences which, together with such act, constituted a different offence
from that of which he was convicted, may be afterwards tried for such
last-mentioned offence, if the consequences had not happened, or were not known
to the Court to have happened, at the time when he was convicted.
(4) A person acquitted or convicted of any offence constituted by any acts may,
notwithstanding such acquittal or conviction, be subsequently charged with, and
tried for, any other offence constituted by the same acts which he may have
committed if the Court by which he was first tried was not competent to try the
offence with which he is subsequently charged.
(5) A person discharged under section 258 shall not be tried again for the same
offence except with the consent of the Court by which he was discharged or of
any other Court to which the first-mentioned Court is subordinate.
(6) Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of section 26 of the
General Clauses Act, 1897 or of section 188 of this Code.
Explanation.-The dismissal of a complaint, or the discharge of the
accused, is not an acquittal for the purposes of this section.
Illustrations
(a) A is tried upon a charge of theft as a servant and acquitted. He cannot
afterwards, while the acquittal remains in force, be charged with theft as a
servant, or, upon the same facts, with theft simply, or with criminal breach of
trust.
(b) A is tried for causing grievous hurt and convicted. The person injured
afterwards dies. A may be tried again for culpable homicide.
(c) A is charged before the Court of Session and convicted of the culpable
homicide of B.A may not afterwards be tried on the same facts for the murder of
B.
(d) A is charged by a Magistrate of the first class with, and convicted by him
of, voluntarily causing hurt to B.A may not afterwards be tried for voluntarily
causing grievous hurt to B on the same facts, unless the case comes within
sub-section (3) of this section.
(e) A is charged by a Magistrate of the second class with, and convicted by him
of, theft of property from the person of B.A may subsequently be charged with,
and tried for, robbery on the same facts.
(f) A, B and C are charged by a Magistrate of the first class with, and
convicted by him of, robbing D.A, B and C may afterwards be charged with, and
tried for, dacoity on the same facts.
Section 301
Appearance by Public Prosecutors.
(1) The Public Prosecutor or Assistant Public
Prosecutor in charge of a case may appear and plead without any written
authority before any Court in which that case is under inquiry, trial or
appeal.
(2) If in any such case any private person
instructs a pleader to prosecute any person in any Court, the Public Prosecutor
or Assistant Public Prosecutor in charge of the case shall conduct the
prosecution, and the pleader so instructed shall act therein under the
directions of the Public Prosecutor or Assistant Public Prosecutor, and may,
with the permission of the Court, submit written arguments after the evidence is
closed in the case.
Section 302
Permission to conduct prosecution.
(1) Any Magistrate inquiring into or trying a
case may permit the prosecution to be conducted by any person other than a
police officer below the rank of Inspector; but no person, other than the
Advocate-General or Government Advocate or a Public Prosecutor or Assistant
Public Prosecutor, shall be entitled to do so without such permission:
Provided that no police officer shall be permitted to conduct the
prosecution if he has taken part in the investigation into the offence with
respect to which the accused is being prosecuted.
(2) Any person conducting the prosecution may do so personally or by a pleader.
Section 303
Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended.
Any person accused of an offence before a
Criminal Court, or against whom proceedings are instituted under this Code, may
a right be defended by a pleader of his choice.
Section 304
Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases.
(1) Where, in a trial before the Court of
Session, the accused is not represented by a pleader, and where it appears to
the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage a pleader, the
Court shall assign a pleader for his defense at the expense of the State.
(2) The High Court may, with the previous approval of the State Government,
make rules providing for-
(a) the mode of selecting pleaders for defense under sub-section (1);
(b) the facilities to be allowed to such pleaders by the Courts;
(c) the fees payable to such pleaders by the Government, and generally, for
carrying out the purposes of sub-section (1).
(3) The State Government may, by notification,
direct that, as from such date as may be specified in the notification, the
provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2) shall apply in relation to any class of
trials before other Courts in the State as they apply in relation to trials
before Courts of Session.
Section 305
Procedure when corporation or registered society is an accused.
(1) In this section, "corporation"
means an incorporated company or other body corporate, and includes a society
registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860(21 of 1860).
(2) Where a corporation is the accused person or one of the accused persons in
an inquiry or trial, it may appoint a representative for the purpose of the
inquiry or trial and such appointment need not be under the seal of the
corporation.
(3) Where a representative of a corporation appears, any requirement of this
Code that anything shall be done in the presence of the accused or shall be
read or stated or explained to the accused, shall be construed as a requirement
that that thing shall be done in the presence of the representative or read or
stated or explained to the representative, and any requirement that the accused
shall be examined shall be construed as a requirement that the representative
shall be examined.
(4) Where a representative of a corporation does not appear, any such
requirement as is referred to in sub-section (3) shall not apply.
(5) Where a statement in writing purporting to be signed by the managing
director of the corporation or by any person (by whatever name called) having,
or being one of the persons having the management of the affairs of the
corporation to the effect that the person named in the statement has been
appointed as the representative of the corporation for the purposes of this
section, is filed, the Court shall, unless the contrary is proved, presume that
such person has been so appointed.
(6) If a question arises as to whether any person, appearing as the
representative of a corporation in an inquiry or trial before a Court is or is
not such representative, the question shall be determined by the Court.
Section 306
Tender of pardon to accomplice.
(1) With a view to obtaining the evidence of
any person supposed to have been directly or indirectly concerned in or privy
to an offence to which this section applies, the Chief Judicial Magistrate or a
Metropolitan Magistrate at any stage of the investigation or inquiry into, or
the trial of, the offence, and the Magistrate of the first class inquiring into
or trying the offence, at any stage of the inquiry or trial, may tender a
pardon to such person or condition of his making a full and true disclosure of
the whole of the circumstances within his knowledge relative to the offence and
to every other person concerned, whether as principal or abettor, in the
commission thereof.
(2) This section applies to -
(a) any offence triable exclusively by the Court of Session or by the Court of
a Special Judge appointed under the Criminal law Amendment Act, 1952(46 of
1952);
(b) any offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or
with a more severe sentence.
(3) Every Magistrate who tenders a pardon
under sub-section (1) shall record -
(a) his reasons for so doing;
(b) whether the tender was or was not accepted by the person to whom it was
made, and shall, on application made by the accused, furnish him with a copy of
such record free of cost.
(4) Every person accepting a tender of pardon made under sub-section (1)-
(a) shall be examined as a witness in the Court of the Magistrate taking
cognizance of the offence and in the subsequent trial, if any;
(b) shall, unless he is already on bail, be detained in custody until the
termination of the trial.
(5) Where a person has accepted a tender of
pardon made under sub-section (1) and has been examined under sub-section (4),
the Magistrate taking cognizance of the offence shall, without making any
further inquiry in the case, -
(a) commit it for trial -
(i) to the Court of Session if the offence is triable exclusively by that Court
or if the Magistrate taking cognizance is the Chief Judicial Magistrate;
(ii)to a Court of Special Judge appointed under the Criminal Law Amendment Act,
1952, (46 of 1952) if the offence is triable exclusively by that Court;
(b) in any other case,
make over the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate who shall try the case
himself.
Section 307
Power to direct tender of pardon.
At any time after commitment of a case but
before judgment is passed, the Court to which the commitment is made may, with
a view to obtaining at the trial the evidence of any person supposed to have
been directly or indirectly concerned in, or privy to, any such offence, tender
a pardon on the same condition to such person.
Section 308
Trial of person not complying with conditions of pardon.
(1) Where, in regard to a person who has
accepted a tender of pardon made under section 306 or section 307, the Public
Prosecutor certifies that in his opinion such person has, either by willfully
concealing anything essential or by giving false evidence, not complied with
the condition on which the tender was made, such person may be tried for the
offence in respect of which the pardon was so tendered or for any other offence
of which he appears to have been guilty in connection with the same matter, and
also for the offence of giving false evidence:
Provided that such person shall not be tried jointly with any of the
other accused:
Provided furtherthat such person shall not be tried for the offence of
giving false evidence except with the sanction of the High Court, and nothing
contained in section 195 or section 340 shall apply to that offence.
(2) Any statement made by such person accepting the tender of pardon and
recorded by a Magistrate under section 164 or by a Court under sub-section (4)
of section 306 may be given in evidence against him at such trial.
(3) At such trial, the accused shall be entitled to plead that he has complied
with the condition upon which such tender was made; in which case it shall be
for the prosecution to prove that the condition has not been complied with.
(4) At such trial, the Court shall-
(a) if it is a Court of Session, before the charge is read out and explained to
the accused;
(b) if it is the Court of a Magistrate, before the evidence of the witnesses
for the prosecution is taken.
ask the accused whether he pleads that he has complied with the conditions on
which the tender of pardon was made.
(5) If the accused does so plead, the Court shall record the plea and proceed
with the trial and it shall, before passing judgment in the case, find whether
or not the accused has complied with the conditions of the pardon, and, if it
finds that he has so complied, it shall, notwithstanding anything contained in
this Code, pass judgment of acquittal.
Section 309
Power to postpone or adjourn proceedings.
(1) In every inquiry or trial, the proceedings
shall be held as expeditiously as possible, and in particular, when the
examination of witnesses has once begun, the same shall be continued from day
to day until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined, unless the Court
finds the adjournment of the same beyond the following day to be necessary for
reasons to be recorded.
(2) If the Court, after taking cognizance of an offence, or commencement of
trial, finds it necessary or advisable to postpone the commencement of, or
adjourn, any inquiry or trial, it may, from time to time, for reasons to be
recorded, postpone or adjourn the same on such terms as it thinks fit, for such
time as it considers reasonable, and may by a warrant remand the accused if in
custody:
Provided that no Magistrate shall remand an accused person to custody
under this section for a term exceeding fifteen days at a time:
Provided furtherthat when witnesses are in attendance, no adjournment
or postponement shall be granted, without examining them, except for special
reasons to be recorded in writing.
Explanation 1.-If sufficient evidence has been obtained to raise a
suspicion that the accused may have committed an offence, and it appears likely
that further evidence may be obtained by a remand, this is a reasonable cause
for a remand.
Explanation 2.-The terms on which an adjournment or postponement may be
granted include, in appropriate cases, the payment of costs by the prosecution
or the accused.
Section 310
Local inspection.
(1) Any Judge or Magistrate may, at any stage
of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding, after due notice to the parties,
visit and inspect any place in which an offence is alleged to have been
committed, or any other place which it is in his opinion necessary to view for
the purpose of properly appreciating the evidence given at such inquiry or
trial, and shall without unnecessary delay record a memorandum of any relevant
facts observed at such inspection.
(2) Such memorandum shall form part of the record of the case and if the
prosecutor, complainant or accused or any other party to the case, so desires,
a copy of the memorandum shall be furnished to him free of cost.
Section 311
Power to summon material witness, or examine person present
to summon material witness, or examine person present.-
Any Court may,
at any stage of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, summon
any person as a witness, or examine any person in attendance, though not
summoned as a witness, or recall and re-examine any person already examined; and
the Court shall summon and examine or recall and re-examine any such person if
his evidence appears to it to be essential to the just decision of the case.
Section 312
Expenses of complainants and witnesses.
Subject to any rules made by the State
Government, any Criminal Court may, if it thinks fit, order payment, on the
part of Government, of the reasonable expenses of any complainant or witness
attending for the purposes of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding before
such Court under this Code.
Section 313
Power to examine the accused.
(1) In every inquiry or trial, for the purpose
of enabling the accused personally to explain any circumstances appearing in
the evidence against him, the Court -
(a) may at any stage, without previously warning the accused put such questions
to him as the Court considers necessary;
(b) shall, after the witnesses for the prosecution have been examined and
before he is called on for his defense, question him generally on the case:
Providedthat in a summons-case, where the Court
has dispensed with the personal attendance of the accused, it may also dispense
with his examination under clause (b).
(2) No oath shall be administered to the
accused when he is examined under sub-section (1).
(3) The accused shall not render himself liable to punishment by refusing to
answer such questions, or by giving false answers to them.
(4) The answers given by the accused may be taken into consideration in such
inquiry or trial, and put in evidence for or against him in any other inquiry
into, or trial for, any other offence which such answers may, tend to show he
has committed.
Section 314
Oral arguments and memorandum of arguments.
(1) Any party to a proceeding may, as soon as
may be, after the close of his evidence, address concise oral arguments, and
may, before he concludes the oral arguments, if any, submit a memorandum to the
Court setting forth concisely and under distinct headings, the arguments in
support of his case and every such memorandum shall form part of the record.
(2) A copy of every such memorandum shall be simultaneously furnished to the
opposite party.
(3) No adjournment of the proceedings shall be granted for the purpose of
filing the written arguments unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in
writing, considers it necessary to grant such adjournment.
(4) The Court may, if it is of opinion that the oral arguments are not concise
or relevant, regulate such arguments.
Section 315
Accused person to be competent witness.
(1) Any person accused of an offence before a
Criminal Court shall be a competent witness for the defense and may give
evidence on oath in disproof of the charges made against him or any person
charged together with him at the same trial:
Provided that-
(a) he shall not be called as a witness except
on his own request in writing;
(b) his failure to give evidence shall not be
made the subject of any comment by any of the parties or the Court or give rise
to any presumption against himself or any person charged together with him at
the same trial
(2) Any person against whom proceedings are
instituted in any Criminal Court under section 98, or section 107, or section
108, or section 109, or section 110, or under Chapter IX or under Part B, Part
C or Part D of Chapter X, may offer himself as a witness in such proceedings:
Provided that in proceedings under section 108, section 109 or section
110, the failure of such person to give evidence shall not be made the subject
or any comment by any of the parties or the Court or give rise to any
presumption against him or any other person proceeded against together with him
at the same inquiry.
Section 316
No influence to be used to induce disclosure.
Except as provided in sections 306 and 307, no
influence, by means of any promise or threat or otherwise, shall be used to an
accused person to induce him to disclose or withhold any matter within his
knowledge.
Section 317
Provision for inquiries and trial being held in the absence of accused
in certain cases.-
(1) At any stage of an inquiry or trial under
this Code, if the Judge or Magistrate is satisfied, for reasons to be recorded,
that the personal attendance of the accused before the Court is not necessary
in the interests of justice, or that the accused persistently disturbs the
proceedings in Court, the Judge or Magistrate may, if the accused is
represented by a pleader, dispense with him attendance and proceed with such
inquiry or trial in his absence, and may, at any subsequent stage of the
proceedings, direct the personal attendance of such accused.
(2) If the accused in any such case is not represented by a pleader, or if the
Judge or Magistrate considers his personal attendance necessary, he may, if he
thinks fit and for reasons to be recorded by him, either adjourn such inquiry
or trial, or order that the case of such accused be taken up or tried
separately.
Section 318
Procedure where accused does not understand proceedings.
If the accused, though not of unsound mind,
cannot be made to understand the proceedings, the Court may proceed with the
inquiry or trial; and, in the case of a Court other than a High Court, if such
proceedings result in a conviction, the proceedings shall be forwarded to the
High Court with a report of the circumstances of the case, and the High Court
shall pass thereon such order as it thinks fit.
Section 319
Power to proceed against other persons appearing to be guilty of
offence.-
(1) Where, in the course of any inquiry into,
or trial of, an offence, it appears from the evidence that any person not being
the accused has committed any offence for which such person could be tried
together with the accused, the Court may proceed against such person for the
offence which he appears to have committed.
(2) Where such person is not attending the Court, he may be arrested or
summoned, as the circumstances of the case may require, for the purpose aforesaid.
(3) Any person attending the Court, although not under arrest or upon a
summons, may be detained by such Court for the purpose of the inquiry into, or
trial of, the offence which he appears to have committed.
(4) Where the Court proceeds against any person under sub-section (1), then-
(a) the proceedings in respect of such person shall be commenced afresh, and
the witnesses re-heard;
(b) subject to the provisions of clause (a), the case may proceed as if such
person had been an accused person when the Court took cognizance of the offence
upon which the inquiry or trial was commenced.
Section 320
Compounding of offences.
(1) The offences punishable under the sections
of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860) specified in the first two columns of the
Table next following may be compounded by the persons mentioned in the third
column of that Table:-
TABLE
Offence Section of the Indian Penal Person by whom offence may be Code
applicable compounded 1 2 3
Uttering words, etc., with deliberate The person whose religious intent to
wound the religious 298 feelings are intended to be feelings of any person.
wounded.
Causing hurt..... 323,334 The person to whom
the hurt is caused.
Wrongfully restraining or The person restrained or confining any person.
341,342 confined.
Assault or use of criminal force 352,355,358 The person assaulted or to whom
criminal force is used Mischief, when the only loss or 426,427 The person to
whom the loss damage caused is loss or damage or damage is caused.
to a private person.
Criminal trespass.... The person in possession of 447 the property trespassed
upon.
House-trespass...
Criminal breach of contract of 448 Ditto Adultery 491 The person with whom the
offender has contracted.
Enticing or taking away or detaining 497 The husband of the woman.
with criminal intent a married woman
Defamation 498 Ditto
Printing or engraving matter, 500 The person defamed.
knowing it to be defamatory.
Sale of printed or engraved substance containing
defamatory 502 Ditto matter, knowing it to contain such matter.
Insult intended to provoke a 504 The person insulted breach of the peace.
Criminal intimidation except when the offence is punishable 506 The person
intimidated. with imprisonment for seven years
Act caused by making a person believe that he will be an object 508 The person
against whom the of devine displeasure. offence was committed.
(2) The offences punishable under the sections of the Indian Penal Code(45 of
1860) specified in the first two columns of the Table next following may, with
the permission of the Court before which any prosecution for such offence is
pending, be compounded by the person mentioned in the third column of that
Table:-
TABLE
Offence Section of the Indian Penal Person by whom offence may be Code
applicable compounded 1 2 3
Voluntarily causing hurt by 324 The person to whom hurt is dangerous weapons or
means caused.
Voluntarily causing grievous 325 Ditto hurt.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt 335 Ditto on grave and sudden provocation.
Causing hurt by doing an act so rashly and negligently as to 337 Ditto endanger
human life or the personal safety of others.
Causing grievous hurt by doing an act so rashly and negligently 338 Ditto as to
endanger human life or the personal safety of others.
Wrongfully confining a person 343 The person confined. for three days or more.
Wrongfully confining for ten 344 Ditto or more days.
Wrongfully confining a person 346 Ditto in secret.
Assault or criminal force to woman 354 The woman assaulted to whom with intent
to outrage her modestry the criminal force was used.
Assault or criminal force in attemp- 357 The person assaulted or to ting
wrongfully to confine a person whom the force was used.
Theft, where the value of property 379 The owner of the property stolen does
not exceed two stolen. hundred and fifty rupees.
Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master, 381 Ditto where
the value of the property stolen does not exceed two hundred and fifty rupees.
Dishonest misappropriation of 403 The owner of the property. misappropriated.
Criminal breach of trust, where 406 The owner of the property in the value of
the property does not respect of which the breach of exceed two hundred and
fifty rupees trust has been committed.
Criminal breach of trust by a carrier 407 Ditto wharfinger, etc., where the
value of
the property does not exceed two hundred and
fifty rupees.
Criminal breach of trust by a clerk or 408 Ditto servant, where the value of
the
property does not exceed two hundred and fifty
rupees.
Dishonesty receiving stolen property 411 The owner of the property knowing it
to be stolen, when the stolen. value of the stolen property does not exceed two
hundred and fifty rupees.
Assisting in the concealment or 414 Ditto disposal of stolen property, knowing
it to be stolen, where the value of the stolen property does not exceed two
hundred and fifty rupees.
Cheating.... 417 Ditto
Cheating a person whose interest the offender was bound, either 418 Ditto by
law or by legal contract, to protect.
Cheating by personation 419 Ditto
Cheating and dishonestly inducing 420 Ditto delivery of property or the
making alteration or destruction of a valuable security.
Fraudulent removal or concealment of property, etc., to prevent 421 The
creditors who are distribution among creditors. affected thereby.
Fraudulently preventing from being 422 Ditto made available for his creditors a
debt or demand due to the offender.
Fraudulent execution of deed of 423 The person affected transfer containing
false thereby statement of consideration.
Fraudulent removal or concealment 424 Ditto of property.
Mischief by killing or maiming 428 The owner of the cattle or animal of the
value of ten rupees animal. or upwards.
Mischief by killing or maiming 429 The owner of the cattle or cattle, etc., of
any value or any animal. other animal of the value of fifty rupees or upwards.
Mischief by injury to work of irriga- 430 The person to whom the loss tion by
wrongfully diverting water or damage is caused. when the only loss or damage
caused is loss or damage to a private person.
House-trespass to commit an 451 The person in possession of an offence (other
than theft) the house trespassed upon. punishable with imprisonment.
Using a false trade or property 482 The person to whom loss or mark. injury is
caused by such use.
Counterfeiting a trade or property 483 The person whose trade or mark used by
another. property mark is counterfeited.
Knowingly selling, or exposing or 486 Ditto possessing for sale or for
manufacturing purpose, goods marked with a counterfeit property mark.
Marrying again during the lifetime 494 The husband or wife of the of a husband
or wife. person so marrying.
Defamation against the President or 500 The person defamed. the Vice-President
or the Governor of a State or the Administrator of a Union territory or a
Minister in respect of his conduct in the discharge of his public functions
when instituted upon a complaint made by the Public Prosecutor.
Uttering words or sounds or making 509 The woman whom it was gestures or
exhibiting any object intended to insult or whose intending to insult the
modesty of privacy was instruded upon. a woman or intruding upon the privacy of
a woman.
(3) When any offence is compoundable under
this section, the abetment of such offence or an attempt to commit such offence
(when such attempt is itself an offence) may be compounded in like manner.
(4) (a) When the person who would otherwise be competent to compound an offence
under this section is under the age of eighteen years or is an idiot or a
lunatic, any person competent to contract on his behalf may, with the
permission of the Court, compound such offence.
(b) When the person who would otherwise be competent to compound an offence
under this section is dead, the legal representative, as defined in the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908, (5 of 1908) of such person may, with the consent of the
Court, compound such offence.
(5) When the accused has been committed for trial or when he has been convicted
and an appeal is pending, no composition for the offence shall be allowed
without the leave of the Court to which he is committed, or, as the case may
be, before which the appeal is to be heard.
(6) A High Court or Court of Session acting in the exercise of its powers of
revision under section 401 may allow any person to compound any offence which
such person is competent to compound under this section.
(7) No offence shall be compounded if the accused is, by reason of a previous
conviction, liable either to enhanced punishment or to a punishment of a
different kind for such offence.
(8) The composition of an offence under this section shall have the effect of
an acquittal of the accused with whom the offence has been compounded.
(9) No offence shall be compounded except as provided by this section.
Section 321
Withdrawal from prosecution.
The Public Prosecutor or Assistant Public
Prosecutor in charge of a case may, with the consent of the Court, at any time
before the judgment is pronounced, withdraw from the prosecution of any person
either generally or in respect of any one or more of the offences for which he
is tried; and, upon such withdrawal,-
(a) if it is made before a charge has been framed, the accused shall be
discharged in respect of such offence or offences;
(b) if it is made after a charge has been framed, or when under this Code no
charge is required, he shall be acquitted in respect of such offence or
offences:
Provided that where such offence-
(i) was against any law relating to a matter
to which the executive power of the Union extends, or
(ii) was investigated by the Delhi Special
Police Establishment under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946,(25
of 1946) or
(iii) involved the misappropriation or
destruction of, or damage to, any property belonging to the Central Government,
or
(iv) was committed by a person in the service
of the Central Government while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of
his official duty, and the Prosecutor in charge of the case has not been
appointed by the Central Government, he shall not, unless he has been permitted
by the Central Government to do so, move the Court for its consent to withdraw
from the prosecution and the Court shall, before according consent, direct the
Prosecutor to produce before it the permission granted by the Central
Government to withdraw from the prosecution.
Section 322
Procedure in cases which Magistrate cannot
dispose of.-
(1) If, in the course of any inquiry into an
offence or a trial before a Magistrate in any district, the evidence appears to
him to warrant a presumption-
(a) that he has no jurisdiction to try the case or commit it for trial, or
(b) that the case is one which should be tried or committed for trial by some
other Magistrate in
the district, or
(c) that the case should be tried by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, he shall
stay the proceedings and submit the case, with a brief report explaining its
nature, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to such other Magistrate, having
jurisdiction, as the Chief Judicial Magistrate directs.
(2) The Magistrate to whom the case is
submitted may, if so empowered, either try the case himself, or refer it to any
Magistrate subordinate to him having jurisdiction, or commit the accused for
trial.
Section 323
Procedure when, after commencement of inquiry or trial, Magistrate finds
case should be committed.-
If, in any inquiry into an offence or a trial
before a Magistrate, it appears to him at any stage of the proceedings before
signing judgment that the case is one which ought to be tried by the Court of Session,
he shall commit it to that Court under the provisions hereinbefore contained.
Section 324
Trial of persons previously convicted of offences against coinage,
stamp-law or property.-
(1) Where a person, having been convicted of
an offence punishable under Chapter XII of Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860) with imprisonment for a term of three years or upwards, is
again accused of any offence punishable under either of those Chapters with
imprisonment for a term of three years or upwards, and the Magistrate before
whom the case is pending is satisfied that there is ground for presuming that
such person has committed the offence, he shall be sent for trial to the Chief
Judicial Magistrate or committed to the Court of Session, unless the Magistrate
is competent to try the case and is of opinion that he can himself pass an
adequate sentence if the accused is convicted.
(2) When any person is sent for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or
committed to the Court of Session under sub-section (1) any other person
accused jointly with him in the same inquiry or trial shall be similarly sent
to committed, unless the Magistrate discharges such other person under section
239 or section 245, as the case may be.
Section 325
Procedure when Magistrate cannot pass sentence sufficiently severe.
(1) Whenever a Magistrate is of opinion, after
hearing the evidence for the prosecution and the accused that the accused is
guilty, and that he ought to receive a punishment different in kind from, or
more severe than, that which such Magistrate is empowered to inflict, or, being
a Magistrate of the second class, is of opinion that the accused ought to be
required to execute a bond under section 106, he may record the opinion and
submit his proceedings, and forward the accused, to the Chief Judicial
Magistrate to whom he is subordinate.
(2) When more accused than one are being tried together, and the Magistrate
considers it necessary to proceed under sub-section (1), in regard to any of
such accused, he shall forward all the accused, who are in his opinion guilty,
to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(3) The Chief Judicial Magistrate to whom the proceedings are submitted may, if
he thinks fit, examine the parties and recall and examine any witness who has
already given evidence in the case and may call for and take any further
evidence, and shall pass such judgment, sentence or order in the case as he
thinks fit, and as is according to law.
Section 326
Conviction or commitment on evidence partly recorded by one Magistrate
and partly by another.-
(1) Whenever any Magistrate, after having
heard and recorded the whole or any part of the evidence in an inquiry or a
trial, ceases to exercise jurisdiction therein and is succeeded by another
Magistrate who has and who exercises such jurisdiction, the Magistrate so
succeeding may act on the evidence so recorded by his predecessor, or partly
recorded by his predecessor and partly recorded by himself:
Provided that if the succeeding Magistrate is of opinion that further
examination of any of the witnesses whose evidence has already been recorded is
necessary in the interests of justice, he may re-summon any such witness, and
after such further examination, cross-examination and re-examination, if any,
as he may permit, the witness shall be discharged.
(2) When a case is transferred under the provisions of this Code from one
Magistrate to another Magistrate, the former shall be deemed to cease to
exercise jurisdiction therein, and to be succeeded by the latter, within the
meaning of sub-section (1).
(3) Nothing in this section applies to summary trials or to cases in which
proceedings have been stayed under section 322 or in which proceedings have
been submitted tom a superior Magistrate under section 325.
Section 327
Court to be open.
The place in which may Criminal Court is held
for the purpose of inquiring into or trying any offence shall be deemed to be
an open Court, to which the public generally may have access, so far as the
same can conveniently contain them:
Provided that the presiding Judge or Magistrate may, if he thinks fit,
order at any stage of any inquiry into, or trial of, any particular case, that
the public generally, or any particular person, shall not have access to, or be
or remain in, the room or building used by the Court.
Section 328
Procedure in case of accused being lunatic.
(1) When a Magistrate holding an inquiry has
reason to believe that the person against whom the inquiry is being held is of
unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defense, the Magistrate
shall inquire into the fact of such unsoundness of mind, and shall cause such
person to be examined by the civil surgeon of the district or such other
medical officer as the State Government may direct, and thereupon shall examine
such surgeon or other officer as a witness, and shall reduce the examination to
writing.
(2) Pending such examination and inquiry, the Magistrate may deal with such
person is accordance with the provisions of section 330.
(3) If such Magistrate is of opinion that the person referred to in sub-section
(1) is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defense, he
shall record a finding to that effect and shall postpone further proceedings in
the case.
Section 329
Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court.
(1) If at the trial of any person before a
Magistrate or Court of Session, it appears to the Magistrate or Court that such
person is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defense, the
Magistrate or Court shall, in the first instance, try the fact of such
unsoundness and incapacity, and if the Magistrate or Court, after considering
such medical and other evidence as may be produced before him or it, is
satisfied of the fact, he or it shall record a finding to that effect and shall
postpone further proceedings in the case.
(2) The trial of the fact of the unsoundness of mind and incapacity of the
accused shall be deemed to be part of his trial before the Magistrate or Court.
Section 330
Release of lunatic pending investigation or trial.
(1) Whenever a person is found, under section
328 or section 329, to be of unsound mind and incapable of making his defense,
the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, whether the case is one in which
bail may be taken or not, may release him on sufficient security being given
that he shall be properly taken care of and shall be prevented from doing
injury to himself or to any other person, and for his appearance when required
before the Magistrate or Court or such officer as the Magistrate or Court
appoints in this behalf.
(2) If the case is one in which, in the opinion of the Magistrate or Court,
bail should not be taken, or if sufficient security is not given, the
Magistrate for Court, as the case may be, shall order the accused to be
detained in safe custody in such place and manner as he or it may think fit,
and shall report the action taken to the State Government:
Provided that no order for the detention of the accused in a lunatic
asylum shall be made otherwise than in accordance with such rules as the State
Government may have made under the Indian Lunacy Act, 1912 (4 of 1912).
Section 331
Resumption of inquiry or trial.
(1) Whenever an inquiry or a trial is
postponed under section 328 or section 329, the Magistrate or Court, as the
case may be, may at any time after the person concerned has ceased to be of
unsound mind, resume the inquiry or trial, and require the accused to appear or
be brought before such Magistrate or Court.
(2) When the accused has been released under section 330, and the sureties for
his appearance produce him to the officer whom the Magistrate or Court appoints
in this behalf , the certificate of such officer that the accused is capable of
making his defense shall be receivable in evidence.
Section 332
Procedure on accused appearing before Magistrate or Court.
(1) If, when the accused appears or is again
brought before the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, the Magistrate or
Court considers him capable of making his defense, the inquiry or trial shall
proceed.
(2) If the Magistrate or Court considers the accused to be still incapable of
making his defense, the Magistrate or Court shall act according to the
provisions of section 328 or section 329, as the case may be, and if the
accused is found to be of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his
defense, shall deal with such accused in accordance with the provisions of
section 330.
Section 333
When accused appears to have been of sound mind.
When the accused appears to be of sound mind
at the time of inquiry or trial, and the Magistrate is satisfied from the
evidence given before him that there is reason to believe that the accused
committed an act, which, if he had been of sound mind, would have been an offence,
and that he was, at the time when the act was committed, by reason of
unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was
wrong or contrary to law, the Magistrate shall proceed with the case, and, if
the accused ought to be tried by the Court of Session, commit him for trial
before the Court of Session.
Section 334
Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind.
Whenever any person is acquitted upon the
ground that, at the time at which he is alleged to have committed an offence,
he was, by reason of unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of
the act alleged as constituting the offence, or that it was wrong or contrary
to law, the finding shall state specifically whether he committed the act or
not.
Section 335
Person acquitted on such ground to be detained in safe custody.
(1) Whenever the finding states that the
accused person committed the act alleged, the Magistrate or Court before whom
or which the trial has been held, shall, if such act would, but for the incapacity
found, have constituted an offence,-
(a) order such person to be detained in safe custody in such place and manner
as the Magistrate or Court thinks fit; or
(b) order such person to be delivered to any relative or friend of such person.
(2) No order for the detention of the accused in a lunatic asylum shall be made
under clause (a) of sub-section (1) otherwise than in accordance with such
rules as the State Government may have made under the Indian Lunacy Act, 1912
(4 of 1912).
(3) No order for the delivery of the accused to a relative or friend shall be
made under clause (b) of sub-section (1), except upon the application of such
relative or friend and on his giving security to the satisfaction of the
Magistrate or Court that the person delivered shall-
(a) be properly taken care of and prevented from doing injury to himself or to
any other person;
(b) be produced for the inspection of such officer, and at such times and
places, as the State Government may direct.
(4) The Magistrate or Court shall report to
the State Government the action taken under sub-section (1).
Section 336
Power of State Government to empower officer in charge to discharge.
The State Government may empower the officer
in charge of the jail in which a person is confined under the provisions of
section 330 or section 335 to discharge all or any of the functions of the
Inspector-General of Prisons under section 337 or section 338.
Section 337
Procedure where lunatic prisoner is reported capable of making his
defense.-
If such person is detained under the
provisions of sub-section (2) of section 330, and in the case of a person
detained in a jail, the Inspector-General of Prisons, or, in the case of a
person detained in a lunatic asylum, the visitors of such asylum or any two of
them shall certify that, in his or their opinion, such person is capable of
making his defense, he shall be taken before the Magistrate or Court, as the
case may be, at such time as the Magistrate or Court appoints, and the
Magistrate or Court shall deal with such person under the provisions of section
332; and the certificate of such Inspector-General or visitors as aforesaid
shall be receivable as evidence.
Section 338
Procedure where lunatic detained is declared fit to be released.
(1) If such person is detained under the
provisions of sub-section (2) of section 330, or section 335, and such
Inspector-General or visitors shall certify that, in his or their judgment, he
may be released without danger of his doing injury to himself or to any other
person, the State Government may thereupon order him to be released, or to be
detained in custody, or to be transferred to a public lunatic asylum if he has
not been already sent to such an asylum; and, in case it orders him to be
transferred to an asylum, may appoint a Commission, consisting of a judicial
and two medical officers.
(2) Such Commission shall make a formal inquiry into the state of mind of such
person, take such evidence as is necessary, and shall report to the State
Government, which may order his release or detention as it thinks fit.
Section 339
Delivery of lunatic to care of relative or friend.
(1) Whenever any relative or friend of any
person detained under the provisions of section 330 or section 335 desires that
he shall be delivered to his care and custody, the State Government may, upon
the application of such relative or friend and on his giving security to the
satisfaction of such State Government, that the person delivered shall-
(a) be properly taken care of and prevented from doing injury to himself or to
any other person;
(b) be produced for the inspection of such officer, and at such times and
places, as the State Government may direct;
(c) in the case of a person detained under sub-section (2) of section 330, be
produced when required before such Magistrate or Court, order such person to be
delivered to such relative or friend.
(2) If the person so delivered is accused of any offence, the trial of which
has been postponed by reason of his being of unsound mind and incapable of
making his defense, and the inspecting officer referred to in clause (b) of
sub-section (1), certifies at anytime to the Magistrate or Court that such
person is capable of making his defense, such Magistrate or Court shall call
upon the relative or friend to whom such accused was delivered to produce him
before the Magistrate or Court; and, upon such production the Magistrate or
Court shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of section 332, and the
certificate of the inspecting officer shall be receivable as evidence.
Section 340
Procedure in cases mentioned in section 195.
(1) When, upon an application made to it in
this behalf or otherwise, any Court is of opinion that it is expedient in the
interests of justice that an inquiry should be made into any offence referred
to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 195, which appears to have been
committed in or in relation to a proceeding in that Court or, as the case may
be, in respect of a document produced or given in evidence in a proceeding in
that Court, such Court may, after such preliminary inquiry, if any, as it
thinks necessary,-
(a) record a finding to that effect;
(b) make a complaint thereof in writing;
(c) send it to a Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction;
(d) take sufficient security for the appearance of the accused before such
Magistrate, or if the alleged offence is non-bailable and the Court thinks it
necessary so to do, send the accused in custody to such Magistrate; and
(e) bind over any person to appear and give evidence before such Magistrate.
(2) The power conferred on a Court by sub-section (1) in respect of an offence
may, in any case where that Court has neither made a complaint under sub-section
(1) in respect of that offence nor rejected an application for the making of
such complaint, be exercised by the Court to which such former Court is
subordinate within the meaning of sub-section (4) of section 195.
(3) A complaint made under this section shall be signed,-
(a) where the Court making the complaint is a High Court, by such officer of
the Court as the Court may appoint;
(b) in any other case, by the presiding officer of the Court.
(4) In this section, "Court">has the
same meaning as in section 195.
Section 341
Appeal
(1) Any person on whose application any Court
other than a High Court has refused to make a complaint under sub-section (1)
or sub-section (2) of section 340, or against whom such a complaint has been
made by such Court, may appeal to the Court to which such former Court is
subordinate within the meaning of sub-section (4) of section 195, and the
superior Court may thereupon, after notice to the parties concerned, direct the
withdrawal of the complaint, or, as the case may be, making of the complaint
which such former Court might have made under section 340, and if it makes such
complaint, the provisions of that section shall apply accordingly.
(2) An order under this section, and subject to any such order, an order under
section 340, shall be final, and shall not be subject to revision.
Section 342
Power to order costs.
Any Court dealing with an application made to
it for filing a complaint under section 340 or an appeal under section 341,
shall have power to make such order as to costs as may be just.
Chapter XV
instituted on a police report.
Section 343
Procedure of Magistrate taking cognizance.
(1) A Magistrate to whom a complaint is made
under section 340 or section 341 shall, notwithstanding anything contained in
Chapter XV, proceed, as far as may be, to deal with the case as if it were
instituted on a police report.
(2) Where it is brought to the notice of such Magistrate, or of any other
Magistrate to whom the case may have been transferred, that an appeal is
pending against the decision arrived at in the judicial proceeding out of which
the matter has arisen, he may, if he thinks fit, at any stage, adjourn the
hearing of the case until such appeal is decided.
Section 344
Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence.
(1) If, at the time of delivery of any judgment
or final order disposing of any judicial proceeding, a Court of Session or
Magistrate of the first class expresses an opinion to the effect that any
witness appearing in such proceeding had knowingly or willfully given false
evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence
should be used in such proceeding, it or he may, if satisfied that it is
necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the witness should be
tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence,
take cognizance of the offence and may, after giving the offender a reasonable
opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished for such offence,
try such offender summarily and sentence him to imprisonment for a term which
may extend to three months, or to fine which may extend to five hundred rupees,
or with both.
(2) In every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable,
the procedure prescribed for summary trials.
(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the power of the Court to make a
complaint under section 340 for the offence, where it does not choose to
proceed under this Section.
(4) Where, after any action is initiated under sub-section (1), it is made to
appear to the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class that an appeal
or an application for revision has been preferred or filed against the judgment
or order in which the opinion referred to in that sub-section has been
expressed, it or he shall stay further proceedings of the trial until the
disposal of the appeal or the application for revision, as the case may be, and
thereupon the further proceedings of the trial shall abide by the results of
the appeal or application for revision.
Section 345
Procedure in certain cases of contempt.
(1) When any such offence as is described in
section 175, section n178, section 179, section 180 or section 228 of the
Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) is committed in the view or presence of any
Civil, Criminal or Revenue Court, the Court may cause the offender to be
detained in custody and may, at any time before the rising of the Court on the
same day, take cognizance of the offence and, after giving the offender a
reasonable opportunity of showing cause why he should not be punished under
this section, sentence the offender to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees,
and, in default of payment of fine, to simple imprisonment for a term which may
extend to one month, unless such fine be sooner paid.
(2) In every such case the Court shall record the facts constituting the
offence, with the statement (if any) made by the offender, as well as the
finding and sentence.
(3) If the offence is under section 228 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860)
the record shall show the nature and stage of the judicial proceeding in which
the Court interrupted or insulted was sitting, and the nature of the
interruption or insult.
Section 346
Procedure where Court considers that case should not be dealt with under
section 345.-
(1) If the Court in any case considers that a
person accused of any of the offences referred to in section 345 and committed
in its view or presence should be imprisoned otherwise than in default of
payment of fine, or that a fine exceeding two hundred rupees should be imposed
upon him, or such Court is for any other reason of opinion that the case should
not be disposed of under section 345, such Court, after recording the facts
constituting the offence and the statement of the accused as hereinbefore
provided, may forward the case to a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the
same, and may require security to be given for the appearance of such person
before such Magistrate, or if sufficient security is not given shall forward
such person in custody to such Magistrate.
(2) The Magistrate to whom any case is forwarded under this section shall
proceed to deal with, as far as may be, as if it were instituted on a police
report.
Section 347
When Registrar or Sub-Registrar to be deemed a Civil Court.
When the State Government so directs, any
Registrar or any Sub-Registrar appointed under the Indian Registration Act,
1908, (16 of 1908) shall be deemed to be a Civil Court within the meaning of
sections 345 and 346.
Section 348
Discharge of offender on submission of apology.
When any Court has under section 345 adjudged
an offender to punishment, or has under section 346 forwarded him to a
Magistrate for trial, for refusing or omitting to do anything which he was
lawfully required to do or for any intentional insult or interruption, the
Court may, in its discretion, discharge the offender or remit the punishment on
his submission to the order or requisition of such Court, or on apology being
made to its satisfaction.
Section 349
Imprisonment or committal of person refusing to answer or produce
document.
If any witness or person called to produce a
document or thing before a Criminal Court refuses to answer such questions as
are put to him or to produce any document or thing in his possession or power
which the Court requires him to produce, and does not, after a reasonable opportunity
has been given to him so to do, offer any reasonable excuse for such refusal,
such Court may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, sentence him to simple
imprisonment, or by warrant under the hand of the Presiding Magistrate or Judge
commit him to the custody of an officer of the Court for any term not exceeding
seven days, unless in the meantime, such person consents to be examined and to
answer, or to produce the document or thing and in the event of his persisting
in his refusal, he may be dealt with according to the provisions of section 345
or section 346.
Section 350
Summary procedure for punishment for non-attendance by a witness in
obedience to summons.-
(1) If any witness being summoned to appear
before a Criminal Court is legally bound to appear at a certain place and time
in obedience to the summons and without just excuse neglects or refuses to
attend at that place or time or departs from the place where he has to attend
before the time at which it is lawful for him to depart, and the Court before
which the witness is to appear is satisfied that it is expedient in the
interests of justice that such a witness should be tried summarily, the Court
may take cognizance of the offence and after giving the offender an opportunity
of showing cause why he should not be punished under this section, sentence him
to fine not exceeding one hundred rupees.
(2) In every such case the Court shall follow, as nearly as may be practicable,
the procedure prescribed for summary trials.
Section 351
Appeals from convictions under sections 344, 345, 349 and 350.
(1) Any person sentenced by any Court other
than a High Court under section 344, section 345, section 349, or section 350
may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Code appeal to the Court to
which decrees or orders made in such Court are ordinarily appealable.
(2) The provisions of Chapter XXIX shall, so far as they are applicable, apply
to appeals under this section, and the Appellate Court may alter or reverse the
finding, or reduce or reverse the sentence appealed against.
(3) An appeal from such conviction by a Court of Small Causes shall lie to the
Court of Session for the sessions division within which such Court is situate.
(4) An appeal from such conviction by any Registrar or Sub-Registrar deemed to
be a Civil Court by virtue of a
direction issued under section 347 shall lie to the Court of Session for the
sessions division within which the office of such Registrar or Sub-Registrar is
situate.
Section 352
Certain Judges and Magistrates not to try certain offences when
committed before themselves.-
Except as provided in sections 344, 345, 349
and 350, no Judge of a Criminal Court (other than a Judge of a High Court) or
Magistrate shall try any person for any offence referred to in section 195,
when such offence is committed before himself or in contempt of his authority,
or is brought under his notice as such Judge or Magistrate in the course of a
judicial proceeding.
Section 353
Judgment
(1) The judgment is every trial in any Criminal
Court of original jurisdiction shall be pronounced in open Court by the
presiding officer immediately after the termination of the trial or at some
subsequent time of which notice shall be given to the parties or their
pleaders, -
(a) by delivering the whole of the judgment; or
(b) by reading out the whole of the judgment; or
(c) by reading out the operative part of the judgment and explaining the
substance of the judgment in a language which is understood by the accused or
his pleader.
(2) Where the judgment is delivered under
clause (a) of sub-section (1), the presiding officer shall cause it to be taken
down in short-hand , sign the transcript and every page thereof as soon as it
is made ready, and write on it the date of the delivery of the judgment in open
Court.
(3) Where the judgment or the operative part thereof is read out under clause
(b) or clause (c) or sub-section (1), as the case may be, it shall be dated and
signed by the presiding officer in Open Court , and if it is not
written with his own hand, every page of the judgment shall be signed by him.
(4) Where the judgment is pronounced in the manner specified in clause (c) of
sub-section (1), the whole judgment or a copy thereof shall be immediately made
available for the perusal of the parties or their pleaders free of cost.
(5) If the accused is in custody, he shall be brought up to hear the judgment
pronounced.
(6) If the accused is not in custody, he shall be required by the Court to
attend to hear the judgment pronounced, except where his personal attendance
during the trial has been dispensed with and the sentence is one of fine only
or he is acquitted:
Provided that, where there are more accused than one, and one or more of
them do not attend the Court on the date on which the judgment is to be
pronounced, the presiding officer may, in order to avoid undue delay in the
disposal of the case, pronounce the judgment notwithstanding their absence.
(7) No judgment delivered by any Criminal Court shall be deemed to be invalid
by reason only of the absence of any party or his pleader on the day or from
the place notified for the delivery thereof, or of any omission to serve, or
defect in serving, on the parties or their pleaders, or any of them, the notice
of such day and place.
(8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the extent
of the provisions of section 465.
Section 354
Language and contents of judgment.
(1) Except as otherwise expressly provided by
this Code, every judgment referred to in section 353, -
(a) shall be written in the language of the Court;
(b) shall contain the point or points for determination, the decision thereon
and the reasons for the decision;
(c) shall specify the offence (if any) of which, and the section of the Indian
Penal Code (45 of 1860)other law under which, the accused is convicted and the
punishment to which he is sentenced;
(d) if it be a judgment of acquittal, shall state the offence of which the
accused is acquitted and direct that he be set at liberty.
(2) When the conviction is under the Indian
Penal Code(45 of 1860) and it is doubtful under which of two sections, or under
which of two parts of the same section, of that Code the offence falls, the
Court shall distinctly express the same, and pass judgment in the alternative.
(3) When the conviction is for an offence punishable with death or, in the
alternative, with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of years,
the judgment shall state the reasons for the sentence awarded, and, in the case
of sentence of death, the special reasons for such sentence.
(4) When the conviction is for an offence punishable with imprisonment for a
term of one year or more, but the Court imposes a sentence of imprisonment for
a term of less than three months, it shall record its reasons for awarding such
sentence, unless the sentence is one of imprisonment till the rising of the
Court or unless the case was tried summarily under the provisions of this Code.
(5) When any person is sentenced to death, the sentence shall direct that he be
hanged by the neck till he is dead.
(6) Every order under section 117 or sub-section (2) of section 138 and every
final order made under section 125, section 145 or section 147 shall contain
the point or points for determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for
the decision.
Section 355
Metropolitan Magistrates judgment.
Instead of recording a judgment in the manner
hereinbefore provided, a Metropolitan Magistrate shall record the following
particulars, namely:-
(a) the serial number of the case;
(b) the date of the commission of the offence;
(c) the name of the complainant (if any);
(d) the name of the accused person, and his parentage and residence;
(e) the offence complained of or proved;
(f) the plea of the accused and his examination (if any);
(g) the final order;
(h) the date of such order;
(I) in all cases in which an appeal lies from the final order either under
section 373 or under sub-section (3) of section 374, a brief statement of the
reasons for the decision.
Section 356
Order for notifying address of previously convicted offender.
(1) When any person, having been convicted by
a Court in India of an offence punishable under section 215, section 489A,
section 489B, section 489C, or section 489D of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860),
or of any offence punishable under Chapter XII or Chapter XVII of that Code,
with imprisonment for a term of three years or upwards, is again convicted of
any offence punishable under any of those sections or Chapters with
imprisonment for a term of three years or upwards by any Court other than that
of a Magistrate of the second class, such Court may, if it thinks fit, at the
time of passing a sentence of imprisonment on such person, also order that his
residence and any change of, or absence from, such residence after release be
notified as hereinafter provided for a term not exceeding five years from the
date of the expiration of such sentence.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) with reference to the offences named
therein, apply also to criminal conspiracies to commit such offences and to the
abetment of such offences and attempts to commit them.
(3) If such conviction is set aside on appeal or otherwise, such order shall
become void.
(4) An order under this section may also be made by an Appellate Court or by
the High Court or Court of Session when exercising its powers of revision.
(5) The State Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the
provisions of this section relating to the notification of residence or change
of, or absence from, residence by released convicts.
(6) Such rules may provide for punishment for the breach thereof and any person
charged with a breach of any such rule may be tried by a Magistrate of
competent jurisdiction in the district in which the place last notified by him
as his place of residence is situated.
Section 357
Order to pay compensation.
(1) When a Court imposes a sentence of fine or
a sentence (including a sentence of death) of which fine forms a part, the
Court may, when passing judgment, order the whole or any part of the fine
recovered to be applied -
(a) in defraying the expenses properly incurred in the prosecution;
(b) in the payment to any person of compensation for any loss or injury caused
by the offence, when compensation is, in the opinion of the Court, recoverable
by such person in a Civil Court ;
(c) when any person is convicted of any offence for having caused the death of
another person or of having abetted the commission of such an offence, in
paying compensation to the persons who are, under the Fatal Accidents Act,
1855, (13 of 1855) entitled to recover damages from the person sentenced for
the loss resulting to them from such death;
(d) when any person is convicted of any offence which includes theft, criminal
misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, or cheating, or of having
dishonestly received or retained, or of having voluntarily assisted in
disposing of, stolen property knowing or having reason to believe the same to
be stolen, in compensating any bonafide purchaser of such property for the loss
of the same if such property is restored to the possession of the person
entitled thereto.
(2) If the fine is imposed in a case which is
subject to appeal, no such payment shall be made before the period allowed for
presenting the appeal has elapsed, or, if an appeal be presented, before the
decision of the appeal.
(3) When a Court imposes a sentence, of which fine does not form a part, the
Court may, when passing judgment, order the accused person to pay, by way of
compensation, such amount as may be specified in the order to the person who
has suffered any loss or injury by reason of the act for which the accused
person has been so sentenced.
(4) An order under this section may also be made by an Appellate Court or by
the High Court or Court of Session when exercising its powers of revision.
(5) At the time of awarding compensation in any subsequent civil suit relating
to the same matter, the Court shall take into account any sum paid or recovered
as compensation under this section.
Section 358
Compensation to persons groundlessly arrested.
(1) Whenever any person causes a police
officer to arrest another person, if it appears to the Magistrate by whom the
case is heard that there was no sufficient ground for causing such arrest, the
Magistrate may award such compensation, not exceeding one hundred rupees, to be
paid by the person so causing the arrest to the person so arrested, for his
loss of time and expenses in the matter, as the Magistrate thinks fit.
(2) In such cases, if more persons than one are arrested, the Magistrate may,
in like manner, award to each of them such compensation, not exceeding one
hundred rupees, as such Magistrate thinks fit.
(3) All compensation awarded under this section may be recovered as if it were a
fine, and if it cannot be so recovered, the person by whom it is payable shall
be sentenced to simple imprisonment for such term not exceeding thirty days as
the Magistrate directs, unless such sum is sooner paid.
Section 359
Order to pay costs in non-cognizable cases.
(1) Whenever any complaint of a non-cognizable
offence is made to a Court, the Court, if it convicts the accused, may, in
addition to the penalty imposed upon him, order him to pay to the complainant,
in whole or in part, the cost incurred by him in the prosecution, and may
further order that in default of payment, the accused shall suffer simple
imprisonment for a period not exceeding thirty days and such costs may include
any expenses incurred in respect of process-fees, witnesses and pleader's fees
which the Court may consider reasonable.
(2) An order under this section may also be made by an Appellate Court or by
the High Court or Court of Session when exercising its powers of revision.
Section 360
Order to release on probation of good conduct or after admonition.
(1) When any person not under twenty-one years
of age is convicted of an offence punishable with fine only or with
imprisonment for a term of seven years or less, or when any person under
twenty-one years of age or any woman is convicted of an offence not punishable
with death or imprisonment for life, and no previous conviction is proved
against the offender, if it appears to the Court before which he is convicted,
regard being had to the age, character or antecedents of the offender, and to
the circumstances in which the offence was committed, that it is expedient that
the offender should be released on probation of good conduct, the Court may,
instead of sentencing him at once to any punishment, direct that he be released
on his entering into a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive
sentence when called upon during such period (not exceeding three years) as the
Court may direct and in the meantime to keep the peace and be of good behavior:
Provided that where any first offender is convicted by a Magistrate of
the second class not specially empowered by the High Court, and the Magistrate
is of opinion that the powers conferred by this section should be exercised, he
shall record his opinion to that effect, and submit the proceedings to a
Magistrate of the first class, forwarding the accused to, or taking bail for
his appearance before, such Magistrate, who shall dispose of the case in the
manner provided by sub-section (2).
(2) Where proceedings are submitted to a Magistrate of the first class as
provided by sub-section (1), such Magistrate may thereupon pass such sentence
or make such order as he might have passed or made if the case had originally
been heard by him, and, if he thinks further inquiry or additional evidence on
any point to be necessary, he may make such inquiry or take such evidence
himself or direct such inquiry or evidence to be made or taken.
(3) In any case in which a person is convicted of theft, theft in a building,
dishonest misappropriation, cheating or any offence under the Indian Penal Code
punishable with not more than two years' imprisonment or any offence punishable
with fine only and no previous conviction is proved against him, the Court
before which he is so convicted may, if it thinks fit, having regard to the
age, character, antecedents or physical or mental condition of the offender and
to the trivial nature of the offence or any extenuating circumstances under
which the offence was committed, instead of sentencing him to any punishment, release
him after due admonition.
(4) An order under this section may be made by any Appellate Court or by the
High Court or Court of Session when exercising its powers of revision.
(5) When an order has been made under this section in respect of any offender,
the High Court or Court of Session may, on appeal when there is a right of
appeal to such Court, or when exercising its powers of revision, set aside such
order, and in lieu thereof pass sentence on such offender according to law:
Provided that the High Court or Court of Session shall not under the
sub-section inflict a greater punishment than might have been inflicted by the
Court by which the offender was convicted.
(6) The provisions of sections 121, 124 and 373 shall, so far as may be, apply
in the case of sureties offered in pursuance of the provisions of this section.
(7) The Court, before directing the release of an offender under sub-section
(1), shall be satisfied that an offender or his surety (if any) has a fixed
place of abode or regular occupation in the place for which the Court acts or
in which the offender is likely to live during the period named for the
observance of the conditions.
(8) If the Court which convicted the offender, or a Court which could have
dealt with the offender in respect of his original offence, is satisfied that
the offender has failed to observe any of the conditions of his recognizance,
it may issue a warrant for his apprehensions.
(9) An offender, when apprehended on any such warrant, shall be brought forthwith
before the Court issuing the warrant, and such Court may either remand him in
custody until the case is heard or admit him to bail with a sufficient surety
conditioned on his appearing for sentence and such Court may, after hearing the
case, pass sentence.
(10) Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of the Probation of
Offenders Act, 1958, (20 of 1958) or the Children Act, 1960, (60 of 1960) or
any other law for the time being in force for the treatment, training or
rehabilitation of youthful offenders.
Section 361
Special reasons to be recorded in certain cases.- Where in any case the
Court could have dealt with,-
(a) an accused person under section 360 or under the provisions of the
Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, (20 of 1958) or
(b) a youthful offender under the Children Act, 1960, (60 of 1960) or any other
law for the time being in force for the treatment, training or rehabilitation
of youthful offenders, but has not done so, it shall record in its judgment the
special reasons for not having done so.
Section 362
Court not to alter judgment.
Save as otherwise provided by this Code or by
any other law for the time being in force, no Court, when it has signed its
judgment or final order disposing of a case, shall alter or review the same
except to correct a clerical or arithmetical error.
Section 363
Copy of judgment to be given to the accused and other persons.
(1) When the accused is sentenced to
imprisonment, a copy of the judgment shall, immediately after the pronouncement
of the judgment, be given to him free of cost.
(2) On the application of the accused, a certified copy of the judgment, or
when he so desires, a translation in his own language if practicable or in the
language of the Court, shall be given to him without delay, and such copy shall,
in every case where the judgment is appealable by the accused, be given free of
cost:
Provided that where a sentence of death is passed or confirmed by the
High Court, a certified copy of the judgment shall be immediately given to the
accused free of cost whether or not he applies for the same.
(3) The provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply in relation to an order under
section 117 as they apply in relation to a judgment which is appealable by the
accused.
(4) When the accused is sentenced to death by any Court and an appeal lies from
such judgment as of right, the Court shall inform him of the period within
which, if he wishes to appeal, his appeal should be preferred.
(5) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (2), any person affected by a judgment
or order passed by a Criminal Court shall, on an application made in this
behalf and on payment of the prescribed charges, be given a copy of such
judgment or order or of any deposition or other part of the record:
Provided that the Court may, if it thinks fit for some special reason,
give it to him free of cost.
(6) The High Court may, by rules, provide for the grant of copies of any
judgment or order of a Criminal Court to any person who is not affected by a
judgment or order, on payment, by such person, of such fees, and subject to
such conditions, as the High Court may, by such rules, provide.
Section 364
Judgment when to be translated.
The original judgment shall be filed with the
record of the proceedings and where the original is recorded in a language
different from that of the Court and the accused so requires, a translation
thereof into the language of the Court shall be added to such record.
Section 365
Court of Session to send copy of finding and sentence to District
Magistrate.-
In cases tried by the Court of Session or a
Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Court or such Magistrate, as the case may be,
shall forward a copy of its or his finding and sentence (if any) to the
District Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction the trial was held.
Section 366
Sentence of death to be submitted by Court of Session for confirmation.
(1) When the Court of Session passes a
sentence of death, the proceedings shall be submitted to the High Court, and
the sentence shall not be executed unless it is confirmed by the High Court.
(2) The Court passing the sentence shall commit the convicted person to jail
custody under a warrant.
Section 367
Power to direct further inquiry to be made or additional evidence to be
taken.-
(1) If, when such proceedings are submitted,
the High Court thinks that a further inquiry should be made into, or additional
evidence taken upon, any point bearing upon the guilt or innocence of the
convicted person, it may make such inquiry or take such evidence itself, or
direct it to be made or taken by the Court of Session.
(2) Unless the High Court otherwise directs, the presence of the convicted
person may be dispensed with when such inquiry is made or such evidence is
taken.
(3) When the inquiry or evidence (if any) is not made or taken by the High
Court, the result of such inquiry or evidence shall be certified to such Court.
Section 368
Power of High Court to confirm sentence or annul conviction.
In any case submitted under section 366, the
High Court-
(a) may confirm the sentence, or pass any other sentence warranted by law, or
(b) may annul the conviction, and convict the accused of any offence of which
the Court of Session might have convicted him, or order a new trial on the same
or an amended charge, or
(c) may acquit the accused person:
Provided that no order of confirmation shall be made under this section
until the period allowed for preferring an appeal has expired, or, if an appeal
is presented within such period, until such appeal is disposed of.
Section 369
Confirmation or new sentence to be signed by two Judges.
In every case so submitted, the confirmation
of the sentence, or any new sentence or order passed by the High Court, shall,
when such Court consists of two or more Judges, be made, passed and signed by
at least two of them.
Section 370
Procedure in case of difference of opinion.
Where any such case is heard before a Bench of
Judges and such Judges are equally divided in opinion, the case shall be
decided in the manner provided by section 392.
Section 371
Procedure in cases submitted to High Court for confirmation.
In cases submitted by the Court of Session to
the High Court for the confirmation of a sentence of death, the proper officer
of the High Court shall, without delay, after the order of confirmation or
other order has been made by the High Court, send a copy of the order, under
the seal of the HIGH Court and attested with his official signature, to the
Court of Session.
Section 372
No appeals to lie unless otherwise provided.
No appeal shall lie from any judgment or order
of a Criminal Court except as provided for by this Code or by any other law for
the time being in force.
Section 373
Appeal from orders requiring security or refusal to accept or rejecting
surety for keeping peace or good behavior.-
Any person,-
(i) who has been ordered under section 117 to give security for keeping the
peace or for good behavior, or
(ii) who is aggrieved by any order refusing to accept or rejecting a surety
under section 121, may appeal against such order to the Court of Session:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to persons the
proceedings against whom are laid before a Sessions Judge in accordance with
the provisions of sub-section (2) or sub-section (4) of section 122.
Section 374
Appeals from convictions.
(1) Any person convicted on a trial held by a
High Court in its extraordinary original criminal jurisdiction may appeal to
the Supreme Court.
(2) Any person convicted on a trial held by a Sessions Judge or an Additional
Sessions Judge or on a trial held by any other Court in which a sentence of
imprisonment for more than seven years has been passed, may appeal to the High
Court.
(3) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (2), any person,-
(a) convicted on a trial held by a Metropolitan Magistrate or Assistant
Sessions Judge or Magistrate of the first class, or of the second class, or
(b) sentenced under section 325, or
(c) in respect of whom an order has been made or a sentence has been passed under
section 360 by any Magistrate, may appeal to the Court of Session.
Section 375
No appeal in certain cases when accused
pleads guilty.-
Notwithstanding anything contained in section
374, where an accused person has pleaded guilty and has been convicted on such
plea, there shall be no appeal,-
(a) if the conviction is by a High Court; or
(b) if the conviction is by a Court of Session, Metropolitan Magistrate or
Magistrate of the first or second class, except as to the extent or legality of
the sentence.
Section 376
No appeal in petty cases.
Notwithstanding anything contained in section
374, there shall be no appeal by a convicted person in any of the following
cases, namely:-
(a) where a High Court passes only a sentence of imprisonment for a term not
exceeding six months or of fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, or of both
such imprisonment and fine;
(b) where a Court of Session or a Metropolitan Magistrate passes only a
sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or of fine not
exceeding two hundred rupees, or of both such imprisonment and fine;
(c) where a Magistrate of the first class passes only a sentence of fine not
exceeding one hundred rupees; or
(d) where, in a case tried summarily, a Magistrate empowered to act under
section 260 passes only a sentence of fine not exceeding two hundred rupees:
Provided that an appeal may be brought against any such sentence if any
other punishment is combined with it, but such sentence shall not be appealable
merely on the ground-
(i) that the person convicted is ordered to
furnish security to keep the peace; or
(ii) that a direction for imprisonment in default of payment of fine is
included in the sentence; or
(iii) that more than one sentence of fine is
passed in the case, if the total amount of fine imposed does not exceed the
amount hereinbefore specified in respect of the case.
Section 377
Appeal by the State Government against
sentence.-
(1) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section
(2), the State Government may, in any case of conviction on a trial held by any
Court other than a High Court, direct the Public Prosecutor to present an
appeal to the High Court against the sentence on the ground of its inadequacy.
(2)If such conviction is in a case in which the offence has been investigated
by the Delhi Special Police Establishment, constituted under the Delhi Special
Police Establishment Act, 1946, (25 of 1946) or by any other agency empowered
to make investigation into an offence under any Central Act other than this
Code, the Central Government may direct the Public Prosecutor to present an
appeal to the High Court against the sentence on the ground of its inadequacy.
(3) When an appeal has been filed against the sentence on the ground of its
inadequacy, the High Court shall not enhance the sentence except after giving
to the accused a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against such
enhancement and while showing cause, the accused may plead for his acquittal or
for the reduction of the sentence.
Section 378
Appeal in case of acquittal.
(1) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section
(2) and subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (5), the State
Government may, in any case, direct the Public Prosecutor to present an appeal
to the High Court from an original or appellate order of acquittal passed by
any Court other than a High Court.
(2) If such an order of acquittal is passed in any case in which the offence
has been investigated by the Delhi Special Police Establishment constituted
under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946) or by any
other agency empowered to make investigation into an offence under any Central
Act other than this Code, the Central Government may also direct the Public
Prosecutor to present an appeal, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3),
to the High Court from the order of acquittal.
(3) No appeal under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be entertained
except with the leave of the High Court.
(4) If such an order of acquittal is passed in any case instituted upon
complaint and the High Court, on an application made to it by the complainant
in this behalf, grants special leave to appeal from the order of acquittal, the
complainant may present such an appeal to the High Court.
(5) No application under sub-section (4) for the grant of special leave to
appeal from an order of acquittal shall be entertained by the High Court after
the expiry of six months, where the complainant is a public servant, and sixty
days in every other case, computed from the date of that order of acquittal.
(6) If, in any case, the application under sub-section (4) for the grant of
special leave to appeal from an order of acquittal is refused, no appeal from
that order of acquittal shall lie under sub-section (1) or under sub-section
(2).
Section 379
Appeal against conviction by High Court in certain cases.
Where the High Court has, on appeal, reversed
an order of acquittal of an accused person and convicted him and sentenced him
to death or to imprisonment for life or to imprisonment for a term of ten years
or more, he may appeal to the Supreme Court.
Section 380
Special right of appeal in certain cases.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Chapter, when more persons than one are convicted in one trial, and an
appealable judgment or order has been passed in respect of any of such persons,
all or any of the persons convicted at such trial shall have a right of appeal.
Section 381
Appeal to Court of Session how heard.
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section
(2), an appeal to the Court of Session or Sessions Judge shall be heard by the
Sessions Judge or by an Additional Sessions Judge:
Provided that an appeal against a conviction on a trial held by a
Magistrate of the second class may be heard and disposed of by an Assistant
Sessions Judge or a Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(2) An Additional Sessions Judge, Assistant Sessions Judge or a Chief Judicial
Magistrate shall hear only such appeals as the Sessions Judge of the division
may, by general or special order, make over to him or as the High Court may, by
special order, direct him to hear.
Section 382
Petition of appeal.
Every appeal s all be made in the form of a
petition in writing presented by the appellant or his pleader, and every such
petition shall (unless the Court to which it is presented otherwise directs) be
accompanied by a copy of the judgment or order appealed against)
Section 383
Procedure when appellant in jail.
If the appellant is in jail, he may present
his petition of appeal and the copies accompanying the same to the officer in
charge of the jail, who shall thereupon forward such petition and copies to the
proper Appellate Court.
Section 384
Summary dismissal of appeal.
(1) If upon examining the petition of appeal
and copy of the judgment received under section 382 or section 383, the
Appellate Court considers that there is no sufficient ground for interfering,
it may dismiss the appeal summarily:
Provided that-
(a) no appeal presented under section 382
shall be dismissed unless the appellant or his pleader has had a reasonable
opportunity of being heard in support of the same;
(b) no appeal presented under section 383
shall be dismissed except after giving the appellant a reasonable opportunity
of being heard in support of the same, unless the Appellate Court considers
that the appeal is frivolous or that the production of the accused in custody
before the Court would involve such inconvenience as would be disproportionate
in the circumstances of the case;
(c) no appeal presented under section 383
shall be dismissed summarily until the period allowed for preferring such
appeal has expired.
(2) Before dismissing an appeal under this section, the Court may call for the
record of the case.
(3) Where the Appellate Court dismissing an appeal under this section is a
Court of Session or of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, it shall record its
reasons for doing so.
(4) Where an appeal presented under section 383 has been dismissed summarily
under this section and the Appellate Court finds that another petition of
appeal duly presented under section 382 on behalf of the same appellant has not
been considered by it, that Court may, notwithstanding anything contained in
section 393, if satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of justice so
to do, hear and dispose of such appeal in accordance with law.
Section 385
Procedure for hearing appeals not dismissed summarily.
(1) If the Appellate Court does not dismiss
the appeal summarily, it shall cause notice of the time and place at which such
appeal will be heard to be given-
(i) to the appellant or his pleader;
(ii) to such officer as the State Government may appoint in this behalf;
(iii) if the appeal is from a judgment of conviction in a case instituted upon
complaint, to the complainant;
(iv) if the appeal is under section 377 or section 378, to the accused, and
shall also furnish such officer, complainant and accused with a copy of the
grounds of appeal.
(2) The Appellate Court shall then send for the record of the case, if such
record is not already available in that Court, and hear the parties:
Provided that if the appeal is only as to the extent or the legality of
the sentence, the Court may dispose of the appeal without sending for the
record.
(3) Where the only ground for appeal from a conviction is the alleged severity
of the sentence, the appellant shall not, except with the leave of the Court,
urge or be heard in support of any other ground.
Section 386
Powers of the Appellate Court.
After perusing such record and hearing the
appellant or his pleader, if he appears, and the Public Prosecutor if he
appears, and in case of an appeal under section 377 or section 378, the
accused, if he appears, the Appellate Court may, if it considers that there is
no sufficient ground for interfering, dismiss the appeal, or may-
(a) in an appeal from an order of acquittal, reverse such order and direct that
further inquiry be made, or that the accused be retried or committed for trial,
as the case may be, or find him guilty and pass sentence on him according to
law;
(b) in an appeal from a conviction-
(i) reverse the finding and sentence and acquit or discharge the accused, or
order him to be re-tried by a Court of competent jurisdiction subordinate to
such Appellate Court or committed for trial, or
(ii) alter the finding, maintaining the sentence, or
(iii) with or without altering the finding, alter the nature or the extent, or
the nature and extent, of the sentence, but not so as to enhance the same;
(c) in an appeal for enhancement of sentence-
(i) reverse the finding and sentence and acquit or discharge the accused or
order him to be re-tried by a Court competent to try the offence, or
(ii) alter the finding maintaining the sentence, or
(iii) with or without altering the finding, alter the nature or the extent, or
the nature and extent, of the sentence, so as to enhance or reduce the same;
(d) in an appeal from any other order, alter
or reverse such order;
(e) make any amendment or any consequential or
incidental order that may be just or proper:
Provided that the sentence shall not be enhanced
unless the accused has had an opportunity of showing cause against such
enhancement:
Provided further that the Appellate Court shall not inflict greater
punishment for the offence which in its opinion the accused has committed, than
might have been inflicted for that offence by the Court passing the order or
sentence under appeal.
Section 387
Judgments of subordinate Appellate Court.
The rules contained in Chapter XXVII as to the
judgment of a Criminal Court of original jurisdiction shall apply, so far as
may be practicable, to the judgment in appeal of a Court of Session or Chief
Judicial Magistrate:
Provided that, unless the Appellate Court otherwise directs, the accused
shall not be brought up, or required to attend, to hear judgment delivered
Section 388
Order of High Court on appeal to be certified to lower Court.
(1) Whenever a case is decided on appeal by
the High Court under this Chapter, it shall certify its judgment or order to
the Court by which the finding, sentence or order appealed against was recorded
or passed and if such Court is that of a Judicial Magistrate other than the
Chief Judicial Magistrate, the High Court's judgment or order shall be sent
through the Chief Judicial Magistrate; and if such Court is that of an
Executive Magistrate, the High Court's judgment or order shall be sent through
the District Magistrate.
(2) The case of an appeal by a convicted person to a Court subordinate thereto.
(3) Where the convicted person satisfies the Court by which he is convicted
that he intends to present an appeal, the Court shall,-
(i) where such person, being on bail, is sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding three years, or
(ii)where the offence of which such person has been convicted is a bailable
one, and he is on bail, Court to which the High Court certifies its judgment or
order shall thereupon makes such orders as are conformable to the judgment or
order of the High Court; and, if necessary, the record shall be amended in
accordance therewith.
Section 389
Suspension of sentence pending the appeal; release of appellant on
bail.-
(1) Pending any appeal by a convicted person,
the Appellate Court may, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing, order
that the execution of the sentence or order appealed against be suspended and,
also, if he is in confinement, that he be released on bail, or on his own bond.
(2) The power conferred by this section on an Appellate Court may be exercised
also by the High Court in order that the convicted person be released on bail,
unless there are special reasons for refusing bail, for such period as will
afford sufficient time to present the appeal and obtain the orders of the
Appellate Court under sub-section (1); and the sentence of imprisonment shall,
so long as he is so released on bail, be deemed to be suspended.
(4) When the appellant is ultimately sentenced to imprisonment for a term or to
imprisonment for life, the time during which he is so released shall be
excluded in computing the term for which he is so sentenced.
Section 390
Arrest of accused in appeal from acquittal.
When an appeal is presented under section 378,
the High Court may issue a warrant directing that the accused be arrested and
brought before it or any subordinate Court, and the Court before which he is
brought may commit him to prison pending the disposal of the appeal or admit
him to bail.
Section 391
Appellate Court may take further evidence or direct it to be taken.
(1) In dealing with any appeal under this
Chapter, the Appellate Court, if it thinks additional evidence to be necessary,
shall record its reasons and may either take such evidence itself, or direct it
to be taken by a Magistrate, or when the Appellate Court is a High Court, by a
Court of Session or a Magistrate.
(2) When the additional evidence is taken by the Court of Session or the
Magistrate, it or he shall certify such evidence to the Appellate Court, and
such Court shall thereupon proceed to dispose of the appeal.
(3) The accused or his pleader shall have the right to be present when the
additional evidence is taken.
(4) The taking of evidence under this section shall be subject to the
provisions of Chapter XXIII, as if it were an inquiry.
Section 392
Procedure where Judges of Court of Appeal are equally divided.
When an appeal under this Chapter is heard by
a High Court before a Bench of Judges and they are divided in opinion, the
appeal, with their opinions, shall be laid before another Judge of that Court,
and that Judge, after such hearing as he thinks fit, shall deliver his opinion,
and the judgment or order shall follow that opinion:
Provided that if one of the Judges constituting the Bench, or, where the
appeal is laid before another Judge under this section, that Judge, so
requires, the appeal shall be re-heard and decided by a larger Bench of Judges.
Section 393
Finality of judgments and orders on appeal.
Judgments and orders passed by an Appellate
Court upon an appeal shall be final, except in the cases provided for in
section 377, section 378, and sub-section (4) of section 384 or Chapter XXX:
Providedthat notwithstanding the final disposal
of an appeal against conviction in any case, the Appellate Court may hear and
dispose of, on the merits,-
(a) an appeal against acquittal under section
378, arising out of the same case, or
(b) an appeal for the enhancement of sentence
under section 377, arising out of the same case.
Section 394
Abatement of appeal.
(1) Every appeal under section 377 or section
378 shall finally abate on the death of the accused.
(2) Every other appeal under this Chapter (except an appeal from a sentence of
fine) shall finally abate on the death of the appellant:
Provided that where the appeal is against a conviction and sentence of
death or of imprisonment, and the appellant dies during the pendency of the
appeal, any of his near relatives may, within thirty days of the death of the
appellant, apply to the Appellate Court for leave to continue the appeal; and
if leave is granted, the appeal shall not abate.
Explanation.-In this section, "near relative">means a parent,
spouse, lineal descendant, brother or sister.
Section 395
Reference to High Court.
(1) Where any Court is satisfied that a case
pending before it involves a question as to the validity of any Act, Ordinance
or Regulation or of any provision contained in an Act, Ordinance or Regulation,
the determination of which is necessary for the disposal of the case, and is of
opinion that such Act, Ordinance, Regulation or provision is invalid or
inoperative, but has not been so declared by the High Court to which that Court
is subordinate or by the Supreme Court, the Court shall state a case setting
out its opinion and the reasons therefor, and refer the same for the decision
of the High Court.
Explanation.-In this section, "Regulation">means any
Regulation as defined in the General Clauses Act, 1897, (10 of 1897) or in the
General Clauses Act of a State.
(2) A Court of Session or a Metropolitan Magistrate may, if it or he thinks fit
in any case pending before it or him to which the provisions of sub-section (1)
do not apply, refer for the decision of the High Court any question of law
arising in the hearing of such case.
(3) Any Court making a reference to the High Court under sub-section (1) or
sub-section (2) may, pending the decision of the High Court thereupon, either
commit the accused to jail or release him on bail to appear when called upon.
Section 396
Disposal of case according to decision of High Court.
(1) When a question has been so referred, the
High Court shall pass such order thereon as it thinks fit, and shall cause a
copy of such order to be sent to the Court by which the reference was made,
which shall dispose of the case conformably to the said order.
(2) The High Court may direct by whom the costs of such reference shall be
paid.
Section 397
Calling for records to exercise powers of revision.
(1) The High Court or any Sessions Judge may
call for and examine the record of any proceeding before any inferior Criminal
Court situate within its or his local jurisdiction for the purpose of
satisfying itself or himself as to the correctness, legality or propriety of
any finding, sentence or order, recorded or passed, and as to the regularity of
any proceedings of such inferior Court, and may, when calling for such record,
direct that the execution of any sentence or order be suspended, and if the
accused is in confinement, that he be released on bail or on his own bond
pending the examination of the record.
Explanation.-All Magistrates, whether Executive or Judicial, and
whether exercising original or appellate jurisdiction, shall be deemed to be
inferior to the Sessions Judge for the purposes of this sub-section and of
section 398.
(2) The powers of revision conferred by sub-section (1) shall not be exercised
in relation to any interlocutory order passed in any appeal, inquiry, trial or
other proceeding.
(3) If an application under this section has been made by any person either to
the High Court or to the Sessions Judge, no further application by the same
person shall be entertained by the other of them.
Section 398
Power to order inquiry.
On examining any record under section 397 or
otherwise, the High Court or the Sessions Judge may direct the Chief Judicial
Magistrate by himself or by any of the Magistrates subordinate to him to make,
and the Chief Judicial Magistrate may himself make or direct any subordinate
Magistrate to make, further inquiry into any complaint which has been dismissed
under section 203 or sub-section (4) of section 204, or into the case of any
person accused of an offence who has been discharged:
Provided that no Court shall make any direction under this section for
inquiry into the case of any person who has been discharged unless such person
has had an opportunity of showing cause why such direction should not be made.
Section 399
Sessions Judges powers of revision.
(1) In the case of any proceeding the record
of which has been called for by himself, the Sessions Judge may exercise all or
any of the powers which may be exercised by the High Court under sub-section
(1) of section 401.
(2) Where any proceeding by way of revision is commenced before a Sessions
Judge under sub-section (1), the provisions of sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and
(5) of section 401 shall, so far as may be, apply to such proceeding and
references in the said sub-sections to the High Court shall be constructed as
references to the Sessions Judge.
(3) Where any application for revision is made by or on behalf of any person
before the Sessions Judge, the decision of the Sessions Judge thereon in
relation to such person shall be final and no further proceeding by way of
revision at the instance of such person shall be entertained by the High Court
or any other Court.
Section 400
Power of Additional Sessions Judge.
An Additional Sessions Judge shall have and
may exercise all the powers of a Sessions Judge under this Chapter in respect
of any case which may be transferred to him by or under any general or special
order of the Sessions Judge.
Section 401
High Courts powers of revision.
(1) In the case of any proceeding the record
of which has been called for by itself or which otherwise comes to its
knowledge, the High Court may, in its discretion, exercise any of the powers
conferred on a Court of Appeal by sections 386, 389, 390 and 391 or on a Court
of Session by section 307 and, when the Judges composing the Court of revision
are equally divided in opinion, the case shall be disposed of in the manner
provided by section 392.
(2) No order under this section shall be made to the prejudice of the accused
or other person unless he has had an opportunity of being heard either
personally or by pleader in his own defense.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorize a High Court to
convert a finding of acquittal into one of conviction.
(4) Where under this Code an appeal lies and no appeal is brought, no
proceeding by way of revision shall be entertained at the instance of the party
who could have appealed.
(5) Where under this Code an appeal lies but an application for revision has
been made to the High Court by any person and the High Court is satisfied that
such application was made under the erroneous belief that no appeal lies
thereto and that it is necessary in the interests of justice so to do, the High
Court may treat the application for revision as a petition of appeal and deal
with the same accordingly.
Section 402
Power of High Court to withdraw or transfer revision cases.
(1) Whenever one or more persons convicted at
the same trial makes or make application to a High Court for revision and any
other person convicted at the same trial makes an application to the Sessions
Judges for revision, the High Court shall decide, having regard to the general
convenience of the parties and the importance of the questions involved, which
of the two Courts should finally dispose of the applications for revision and
when the High Court decides that all the applications for revision should be
disposed of by itself, the High Court shall direct that the applications for
revision pending before the Sessions Judge by transferred to itself and where
the High Court decides that it is not necessary for it to dispose of the
applications for revision, it shall direct that the applications for revision
made to it be transferred to the Sessions Judge.
(2) Whenever any application for revision is transferred to the High Court,
that Court shall deal with the same as if it were an application duly made
before itself.
(3) Whenever any application for revision is transferred to the Sessions Judge,
that Judge shall deal with the same as if it were an application duly made
before himself.
(4) Where an application for revision is transferred by the High Court to the
Sessions Judge, no further application for revision shall lie to the High Court
or to any other Court at the instance of the person or persons whose
applications for revision have been disposed of by the Sessions Judge.
Section 403
Option of Court to hear parties.
Save as otherwise expressly provided by this
Code, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by pleader before
any Court exercising its powers of revision; but the Court may, if it thinks
fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party either personally or by
pleader.
Section 404
Statement by Metropolitan Magistrate of grounds of his decision to be
considered by High Court.-
When the record of any trial held by a
Metropolitan Magistrate is called for by the High Court or Court of Session
under section 397, the Magistrate may submit with the record a statement
setting forth the grounds of his decision or order and any facts which he
thinks material to the issue; and the Court shall consider such statement
before overruling or setting aside the said decision or order.
Section 405
High Courts order to be certified to lower Court.
When a case is revised under this Chapter by
the High Court or a Sessions Judge, it or he shall, in the manner provided by
section 388, certify its decision or order to the Court by which the finding,
sentence or order revised was recorded or passed, and the Court to which the
decision or order is so certified shall thereupon make such orders as are
conformable to the decision so certified; and, if necessary, the record shall
be amended in accordance therewith.
Section 406
Power to Supreme Court to transfer cases and appeals.
(1) Whenever it is made to appear to the
Supreme Court that an order under this sections expedient for the ends of
justice, it may direct that any particular case or appeal be transferred from
one High Court to another High Court or from a Criminal Court subordinate to
one High Court to another Criminal Court of equal or superior jurisdiction
subordinate to another High Court.
(2) The Supreme Court may act under this section only on the application of the
Attorney-General of India or of a party interested, and every such application
shall be made by motion, which shall, except when the applicant is the
Attorney-General of India or the Advocate-General of the State, be supported by
affidavit or affirmation.
(3) Where any application for the exercise of the powers conferred by this
section is dismissed, the Supreme Court may, if it is of opinion that the
application was frivolous or vexatious, order the applicant to pay by way of
compensation to any person who has opposed the application such sum not exceeding
one thousand rupees as it may consider appropriate in the circumstances of the
case.
Section 407
Power of High Court to transfer cases and appeals.
(1) Whenever it is made to appear to the High
Court-
(a) that a fair and impartial inquiry or trial cannot be had in any Criminal
Court subordinate thereto, or
(b) that some question of law of unusual difficulty is likely to arise, or
(c) that an order under this section is required by any provision of this Code,
or will tend to the general convenience of the parties or witnesses, or is
expedient for the ends of justice.
it may order-
(i) that any offence be inquired into or tried by any Court not qualified under
sections 177 to 185 (both inclusive), but in other respects competent to
inquire into or try such offence;
(ii) that any particular case or appeal, or class of cases or appeals, be
transferred from a Criminal Court subordinate to its authority to any other
such Criminal Court of equal or superior jurisdiction;
(iii) that any particular case be committed for trial to a Court of Session; or
(iv) that any particular case or appeal be transferred to and tried before
itself.
(2) The High Court may act either on the report of the lower Court, or on the
application of a party interested, or on its own initiative:
Provided that no application shall lie to the High Court for
transferring a case from one Criminal Court to another Criminal Court in the
same sessions division, unless an application for such transfer has been made
to the Sessions Judge and rejected by him.
(3) Every application for order under sub-section (1) shall be made by motion,
which shall, except when the applicant is the Advocate-General of the State, be
supported by affidavit or affirmation.
(4) When such application is made by an accused person, the High Court may
direct him to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for the payment of any
compensation which the High Court may award under sub-section (7).
(5) Every accused person making such application shall give to the Public Prosecutor
notice in writing of the application, together with a copy of the grounds on
which it is made; and no order shall be made on the merits of the application
unless at least twenty-four hours have elapsed between the giving of such
notice and the hearing of the application.
(6) Where the application is for the transfer of a case or appeal from any
subordinate Court, the High Court may, if it is satisfied that it is necessary
so to do in the interests of justice, order that, pending the disposal of the
application, the proceedings in the subordinate Court shall be stayed, on such
terms as the High Court may think fit to impose:
Provided that such stay shall not affect the subordinate Court's power
of remand under section 309.
(7) Where an application for an order under sub-section (1) is dismissed, the
High Court may, if it is of opinion that the application was frivolous or
vexatious, order the applicant to pay by way of compensation to any person who
has opposed the application such sum not exceeding one thousand rupees as it
may consider proper in the circumstances of the case.
(8) When the High Court orders under sub-section (1) that a case be transferred
from any Court for trial before itself, it shall observe in such trial the same
procedure which that Court would have observed if the case had not been so
transferred.
(9) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect any order of Government
under section 197.
Section 408
Power of Sessions Judge to transfer cases and appeals.
(1) Whenever it is made to appear to a
Sessions Judge that an order under this sub-section is expedient for the ends
of justice, he may order that any particular case be transferred from one
Criminal Court to another Criminal Court in his sessions division.
(2) The Sessions Judge may act either on the report of the lower Court, or on
the application of a party interested, or on his own initiative.
(3) The provisions of sub-sections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (9) of section
407 shall apply in relation to an application to the Sessions Judge for an
order under sub-section (1) as they apply in relation to an application to the
High Court for an order under sub-section (1) of section 407, except that
sub-section (7) of that section shall so apply as if for the words "one
thousand rupees">occurring therein, the words "two hundred and fifty
rupees">were substituted.
Section 409
Withdrawal of cases and appeals by Sessions Judges.
(1) A Sessions Judge may withdraw any case or
appeal from, or recall any case or appeal which he has made over to, any
Assistant Sessions Judge or Chief Judicial Magistrate subordinate to him.
(2) At any time before the trial of the case or the hearing of the appeal has
commenced before the Additional Sessions Judge, a Sessions Judge may recall any
case or appeal which he has made over to any Additional Sessions Judge.
(3) Where a Sessions Judge withdraws or recalls a case or appeal under
sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), he may either try the case in his own Court
or hear the appeal himself, or make it over in accordance with the provisions
of this Code to another Court for trial or hearing, as the case may be.
Section 410
Withdrawal of cases by Judicial Magistrates.
(1) Any Chief Judicial Magistrate may withdraw
any case from, or recall any case which he has made over to, any Magistrate
subordinate to him, and may inquire into or try such case himself, or refer it
for inquiry or trial to any other such Magistrate competent to inquire into or
try the same.
(2) Any Judicial Magistrate may recall any case made over by him under
sub-section (2) of section 192 to any other Magistrate and may inquire into or
try such case himself.
Section 411
Making over or withdrawal of cases by Executive Magistrates.
Any District Magistrate or Sub-divisional
Magistrate may-
(a) make over, for disposal, any proceeding which has been started before him,
to any Magistrate Subordinate to him;
(b) withdraw any case from, or recall any case which he has made over to, any
Magistrate subordinate to him, and dispose of such proceeding himself or refer
it for disposal to any other Magistrate.
Section 412
Reasons to be recorded.
A Sessions Judge or Magistrate making an order
under section 408, section 409, section 410 or section 411 shall record his
reasons for making it.
Section 413
Execution of order passed under section 368.
When in a case submitted to the High Court for
the confirmation of a sentence of death, the Court of Session receives the
order of confirmation or other order of the High Court thereon, it shall cause
such order to be carried into effect by issuing a warrant or taking such other
steps as may be necessary.
Section 414
Execution of sentence of death passed by High Court.
When a sentence of death is passed by the High
Court in appeal or in revision, the Court of Session shall, on receiving the
order of the High Court, cause the sentence to be carried into effect by
issuing a warrant.
Section 415
Postponement of execution of sentence of death in case of appeal to
Supreme Court.-
(1) Where a person is sentenced to death by
the High Court and an appeal from its judgment lies to the Supreme Court under
sub-clause (a) or sub-clause (b) of clause (1) of article 134 of the
Constitution, the High Court shall order the execution of the sentence to be
postponed until the period allowed for preferring such appeal has expired, or,
if an appeal is preferred within that period, until such appeal is disposed of.
(2) Were a sentence of death is passed or confirmed by the High Court, and the
person sentenced makes an application to the High Court for the grant of a
certificate under article 132 or under sub-clause (c) of clause (1) of article
134 of the Constitution, the High Court shall order the execution of the
sentence to be postponed until such application is disposed of by the High
Court, or if a certificate is granted on such application, until the period
allowed for preferring an appeal to the Supreme Court on such certificate has
expired.
(3) Where a sentence of death is passed or confirmed by the High Court, and the
High Court is satisfied that the person sentenced intends to present a petition
to the Supreme Court for the grant of special leave to appeal under article 136
of the Constitution, the High Court shall order the execution of the sentence
to be postponed for such period as it considers sufficient to enable him to
present such petition.
Section 416
Postponement of capital sentence on pregnant woman.
If a woman sentenced to death is found to be
pregnant, the High Court shall order the execution of the sentence to be
postponed, and may, if it thinks fit, commute the sentence to imprisonment for
life.
Section 417
Power to appoint place of imprisonment.
(1) Except when otherwise provided by any law
for the time being in force, the State Government may direct in what place any
person liable to be imprisoned or committed to custody under this Code shall be
confined.
(2) If any person liable to be imprisoned or committed to custody under this
Code is in confinement in a civil jail, the Court or Magistrate ordering the
imprisonment or committal may direct that the person be removed to a criminal
jail.
(3) When a person is removed to a criminal jail under sub-section (2), he shall
, on being released there from, be sent back to the civil jail, unless either -
(a) three years have elapsed since he was removed to the criminal jail, in
which case he shall be deemed to have been released from the civil jail under
section 58 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (5 of 1908) or section 23 of
the Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, (5 of 1920) as the case may be; or
(b) the Court which ordered his imprisonment in the civil jail has certified to
the officer in charge of the criminal jail that he is entitled to be released
under section 58 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (5 of 1908) or under
section 23 of the Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920, (5 of 1920) as the case may
be.
Section 418
Execution of sentence of imprisonment.
(1) Where the accused is sentenced to
imprisonment for life or to imprisonment for a term in cases other than those
provided for by section 413, the Court passing the sentence shall forthwith
forward a warrant to the jail or other place in which he is, or is to be,
confined, and, unless the accused is already confined in such jail or other
place, shall forward him to such jail or other place, with the warrant:
Provided that where the accused is sentenced to imprisonment till the
rising of the Court, it shall not be necessary to prepare or forward a warrant
to a jail, and the accused may be confined in such place as the Court may
direct.
(2) Where the accused is not present in Court when he is sentenced to such
imprisonment as is mentioned in sub-section (1), the Court shall issue a warrant
for his arrest for the purpose of forwarding him to the jail or other place in
which he is to be confined; and in such case, the sentence shall commence on
the date of his arrest.
Section 419
Direction of warrant for execution.
Every warrant for the execution of a sentence
of imprisonment shall be directed to the officer in charge of the jail or other
place in which the prisoner is, or is to be, confined.
Section 420
Warrant with whom to be lodged.
When the prisoner is to be confined in a jail,
the warrant shall be lodged with the jailor.
Section 421
Warrant for levy of fine.
(1) When an offender has been sentenced to pay
a fine, the Court passing the sentence may take action for the recovery of the
fine in either or both of the following ways, that is to say, it may-
(a) issue a warrant for the levy of the amount by attachment and sale of any
movable property belonging to the offender;
(b) issue a warrant to the Collector of the district, authorizing him to
realize the amount as arrears of land revenue from the movable or immovable
property, or both, of the defaulter:
Providedthat, if the sentence directs that in
default of payment of the fine, the offender shall be imprisoned, and if such
offender has undergone the whole of such imprisonment in default, no Court
shall issue such warrant unless, for special reasons to be recorded in writing,
it considers it necessary so to do, or unless it has made an order for the
payment of expenses of compensation out of the fine under section 357.
(2) The State Government may make rules regulating the manner in which warrants
under clause (a) of sub-section (1) are to be executed, and for the summary
determination of any claims made by any person other than the offender in
respect of any property attached in execution of such warrant.
(3) Where the Court issues a warrant to the Collector under clause (b) of
sub-section (1), the Collector shall realize the amount in accordance with the
law relating to recovery of arrears of land revenue, as if such warrant were a
certificate issued under such law:
Provided that no such warrant shall be executed by the arrest or
detention in prison of the offender.
Section 422
Effect of such warrant.
A warrant issued under clause (a) of
sub-section (1) of section 421 by any Court may be executed within the local
jurisdiction of such Court, and it shall authorize the attachment and sale of
any such property outside such jurisdiction, when it is endorsed by the
District Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction such property is found.
Section 423
Warrant for levy of fine issued by a Court in any territory to which
this Code does not extend.-
Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Code or in any other law for the time being in force, when an offender has been
sentenced to pay a fine by a Criminal Court in any territory to which this Code
does not extend and the Court passing the sentence issues a warrant to the
Collector of a district in the territories to which this Code extends,
authorizing him to realize the amount as if it were an arrear of land revenue,
such warrant shall be deemed to be a warrant issued under clause (b) of
sub-section (1) of section 421 by a Court in the territories to which this Code
extends, and the provisions of sub-section (3) of the said section as to the
execution of such warrant shall apply accordingly.
Section 424
Suspension of execution of sentence of imprisonment.
(1) When an offender has been sentenced to
fine only and to imprisonment in default of payment of the fine, and the fine
is not paid forthwith, the Court may-
(a) order that the fine shall be payable either in full on or before a date not
more than thirty days from the date of the order, or in two or three
installments, of which the first shall be payable or on before a date not more
than thirty days from the date of the order and the other or others at an
interval or at intervals, as the case may be, of not more than thirty days;
(b) suspend the execution of the sentence of imprisonment and release the
offender, on the execution by the offender of a bond, with or without sureties,
as the Court thinks fit, conditioned for his appearance before the Court on the
date or dates on or before which payment of the fine or the installments
thereof, as the case may be, is to be made; and if the amount of the fine or of
any installment, as the case may be, is not realized on or before the latest
date on which it is payable under the order, the Court may direct the sentence
of imprisonment to be carried into execution at once.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall be applicable also in any case in
which an order for the payment of money has been made on non-recovery of which
imprisonment may be awarded and the money is not paid forthwith; and, if the
person against whom the order has been made, on being required to enter into a
bond such as is referred to in that sub-section, fails to do so, the Court may
at once pass sentence of imprisonment.
Section 425
Who may issue warrant.
Every warrant for the execution of a sentence
may be issued either by the Judge or Magistrate who passed the sentence, or by
his successor-in-office.
Section 426
Sentence on escaped convict when to take effect.
(1) When a sentence of death, imprisonment for
life or fine is passed under this Code on an escaped convict, such sentence
shall, subject to the provisions hereinbefore contained, take effect
immediately.
(2) When a sentence of imprisonment for a term is passed under this Code on an
escaped convict, -
(a) if such sentence is severer in kind than the sentence which such convict
was undergoing when he escaped, the new sentence shall take effect immediately;
(b) if such sentence is not severer in kind than the sentence which such
convict was undergoing when he escaped, the new sentence shall take effect
after he has suffered imprisonment for a further period equal to that which, at
the time of his escape, remained unexpired of his former sentence.
(3) For the purpose of sub-section (2), a
sentence of rigorous imprisonment shall be deemed to be severer in kind than a
sentence of simple imprisonment.
Section 427
Sentence on offender already sentenced for another offence.
(1) When a person already undergoing a
sentence of imprisonment is sentenced on a subsequent conviction to
imprisonment or imprisonment for life, such imprisonment or imprisonment for
life shall commence at the expiration of the imprisonment to which he has been
previously sentenced, unless the Court directs that the subsequent sentence
shall run concurrently with such previous sentence:
Provided that where a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment by
an order under section 122 in default of furnishing security is, whilst
undergoing such sentence, sentenced to imprisonment for an offence committed
prior to the making of such order, the latter sentence shall commence
immediately.
(2) When a person already undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for life is
sentenced on a subsequent conviction to imprisonment for a term or imprisonment
for life, the subsequent sentence shall run concurrently with such previous
sentence.
Section 428
Period of detention undergone by the accused to be set off against the
sentence of imprisonment.-
Where an accused person has, on conviction,
been sentenced to imprisonment for a term, the period of detention, if any,
undergone by him during the investigation, inquiry or trial of the same case
and before the date of such conviction, shall be set off against the term of
imprisonment imposed on him on such conviction, and the liability of such person
to undergo imprisonment on such conviction shall be restricted to the
remainder, if any, of the term of imprisonment imposed on him.
Section 429
Saving
(1) Nothing in section 426 or section 427
shall be held to excuse any person from any part of the punishment to which he
is liable upon his former or subsequent conviction.
(2) When an award of imprisonment in default of payment of a fine is annexed to
a substantive sentence of imprisonment and the person undergoing the sentence
is after its execution to undergo a further substantive sentence or further
substantive sentences of imprisonment, effect shall not be given to the award
of imprisonment in default of payment of the fine until the person has
undergone the further sentence or sentences.
Section 430
Return of warrant on execution of sentence.
When a sentence has been fully executed, the
officer executing it shall return the warrant to the Court from which it is
issued, with an endorsement under his hand certifying the manner in which the
sentence has been executed.
Section 431
Money ordered to be paid recoverable as a fine.
Any money (other than a fine) payable by
virtue of any order made under this Code, and the method of recovery of which
is not otherwise expressly provided for, shall be recoverable as if it were a
fine:
Provided that section 421 shall, in its application to an order under
section 359, by virtue of this section, be construed as if in the proviso to
sub-section (1) of section 421, after the words and figures "under section
357", the words and figures "or an order for payment of costs under
section 359">had been inserted.
Section 432
Power to suspend or remit sentences.
(1) When any person has been sentenced to
punishment for an offence, the appropriate Government may, at any time, without
conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, suspend
the execution of his sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment
to which he has been sentenced.
(2) Whenever an application is made to the appropriate Government for the
suspension or remission of a sentence, the appropriate Government may require
the presiding Judge of the Court before or by which the conviction was had or
confirmed, to state his opinion as to whether the application should be granted
or refused, together with his reasons for such opinion and also to forward with
the statement of such opinion a certified copy of the record of the trial or of
such record thereof as exists.
(3) If any condition on which a sentence has been suspended or remitted is, in
the opinion of the appropriate Government, not fulfilled, the appropriate
Government may cancel the suspension or remission, and thereupon the person in
whose favor the sentence has been suspended or remitted may, if at large, be
arrested by any police officer, without warrant and remanded to undergo the
unexpired portion of the sentence.
(4) The condition on which a sentence is suspended or remitted under this
section may be one to be fulfilled by the person in whose favor the sentence is
suspended or remitted, or one independent of his will.
(5) The appropriate Government may, by general rules or special orders, give
directions as to the suspension of sentences and the conditions on which
petitions should be presented and dealt with:
Provided that in the case of any sentence (other than a sentence of
fine) passed on a male person above the age of eighteen years, no such petition
by the person sentenced or by any other person on his behalf shall be entertained,
unless the person sentenced is in jail, and-
(a) where such petition is made by the person
sentenced, it is presented through the officer in charge of the jail; or
(b) where such petition is made by any other
person, it contains a declaration that the person sentenced is in jail.
(6) The provisions of the above sub-sections
shall also apply to any order passed by a Criminal Court under any section of
this Code or of any other law which restricts the liberty of any person or
impose any liability upon him or his property.
(7) In this section and in section 433, the expression "appropriate
Government">means,-
(a) in cases where the sentence is for an offence against, or the order
referred to in sub-section (6) is passed under, any law relating to a matter to
which the executive power of the Union extends, the Central Government;
(b) in other cases, the Government of the State within which the offender is
sentenced or the said order is passed.
Section 433
Power to commute sentence.
The appropriate Government may, without the
consent of the person sentenced, commute-
(a) a sentence of death, for any other punishment provided by the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860);
(b) a sentence of imprisonment for life, for imprisonment for a term not
exceeding fourteen years or for fine;
(c) a sentence of rigorous imprisonment, for simple imprisonment for any term
to which that person might have been sentenced, or for fine;
(d) a sentence of simple imprisonment, for fine.
Section 434
Concurrent power of Central Government in case of death sentences.
The powers conferred by sections 432 and 433
upon the State Government may, in the case of sentences of death, also be
exercised by the Central Government.
Section 435
State Government to act after consultation with Central Government in
certain cases.-
(1) The powers conferred by sections 432 and
433 upon the State Government to remit or commute a sentence, in any case where
the sentence is for an offence-
(a) which was investigated by the Delhi Special Police Establishment constituted
under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, (25 of 1946) or by any
other agency empowered to make investigation into an offence under any Central
Act other than this Code, or
(b) which involved the misappropriation or destruction of, or damage to, any
property belonging to the Central Government, or
(c) which was committed by a person in the service of the Central Government
while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty, shall
not be exercised by the State Government except after consultation with the
Central Government.
(2) No order of suspension, remission or
commutation of sentences passed by the State Government in relation to a
person, who has been convicted of offences, some of which relate to matters to
which the executive power of the Union extends, and who has been sentenced to
separate terms of imprisonment which are to run concurrently, shall have effect
unless an order for the suspension, remission or commutation, as the case may
be, of such sentences has also been made by the Central Government in relation
to the offences committed by such person with regard to matters to which the
executive power of the Union extends.
Section 436
In what cases bail to be taken.
(1) When any person other than a person
accused of a non-bailable offence is arrested or detained without warrant by an
officer in charge of a police station, or appears or is brought before a Court,
and is prepared at any time while in the custody of such officer or at any
stage of the proceedings before such Court to give bail, such person shall be
released on bail:
Provided that such officer or Court, if he or it thinks fit, may,
instead of taking bail from such person, discharge him on his executing a bond
without sureties for his appearance as hereinafter provided:
Provided further that nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect
the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 116.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where a person has
failed to comply with the conditions of the bail-bond as regards the time and
place of attendance, the Court may refuse to release him on bail, when on a
subsequent occasion in the same case he appears before the Court or is brought in
custody and any such refusal shall be without prejudice to the powers of the
Court to call upon any person bound by such bond to pay the penalty thereof
under section 446.
Section 437
When bail may be taken in case of non-bailable offence.
(1) When any person accused of or suspected of
the commission of any non-bailable offence is arrested or detained without
warrant by an officer in charge of a police station or appears or is brought
before a Court other than the High Court or Court of Session, he may be released
on bail, but he shall not be so released if there appear reasonable grounds for
believing that he has been guilty of an offence punishable with death or
imprisonment for life:
Provided that the Court may direct that any person under the age of sixteen
years or any woman or any sick or infirm person accused of such an offence be
released on bail:
Provided furtherthat the mere fact that an accused person may be
required for being identified by witnesses during investigation shall not be
sufficient ground for refusing to grant bail if he is otherwise entitled to be
released on bail and gives an undertaking that he shall comply with such
directions as may be given by the Court.
(2) If it appears to such officer or Court at any stage of the investigation,
inquiry or trial, as the case may be, that there are not reasonable grounds for
believing that the accused has committed a non-bailable offence, but that there
are sufficient grounds for further inquiry into his guilt, the accused shall,
pending such inquiry, be released on bail, or, at the discretion of such
officer or Court, on the execution by him of a bond without sureties for his
appearance as hereinafter provided.
(3) When a person accused or suspected of the commission of an offence
punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or more or of an
offence under Chapter VI, Chapter XVI or Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal
Code(45 of 1860) or abetment of, or conspiracy or attempt to commit, any such
offence, is released on bail under sub-section (1), the Court may impose any
condition which the Court considers necessary-
(a) in order to ensure that such person shall attend in accordance with the
conditions of the bond executed under this Chapter, or
(b) in order to ensure that such person shall not commit an offence similar to
the offence of which he is accused or of the commission of which he is
suspected, or
(c) otherwise in the interests of justice.
(4) An officer or a Court releasing any person on bail under sub-section (1) or
sub-section (2), shall record in writing his or its reasons for so doing.
(5) Any Court which has released a person on bail under sub-section (1) or
sub-section (2), may, if it considers it necessary so to do, direct that such
person be arrested and commit him to custody.
(6) If, in any case triable by a Magistrate, the trial of a person accused of
any non-bailable offence is not concluded within a period of sixty days from
the first date fixed for taking evidence in the case, such person shall, if he
is in custody during the whole of the said period, be released on bail to the
satisfaction of the Magistrate, unless for reasons to be recorded in writing,
the Magistrate otherwise directs.
(7) If, at any time after the conclusion of the trial of a person accused of a
non-bailable offence and before judgment is delivered, the Court is of opinion
that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty
of any such offence, it shall release the accused, if he is in custody, on the
execution by him of a bond without sureties for his appearance to hear judgment
delivered.
Section 438
Direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest.
(1) When any person has reason to believe that
he may be arrested on an accusation of having committed a non-bailable offence,
he may apply to the High Court or the Court of Session for a direction under
this section; and that Court may, if it thinks fit, direct that in the event of
such arrest, he shall be released on bail.
(2) When the High Court or the Court of Session makes a direction under
sub-section (1), it may include such conditions in such directions in the light
of the facts of the particular case, as it may think fit, including-
(i) a condition that the person shall make himself available for interrogation
by a police officer as and when required;
(ii) a condition that the person shall not, directly or indirectly, make any
inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the
case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any
police officer;
(iii) a condition that the person shall not leave India without the previous
permission of the Court;
(iv) such other condition as may be imposed under sub-section (3) of section
437, as if the bail were granted under that section.
(3) If such person is thereafter arrested
without warrant by an officer in charge of a police station on such accusation,
and is prepared either at the time of arrest or at any time while in the
custody of such officer to give bail, he shall be released on bail; and if a
Magistrate taking cognizance of such offence decides that a warrant should
issue in the first instance against that person, he shall issue a bailable
warrant in conformity with the direction of the Court under sub-section (1).
Section 439
Special powers of High Court or Court of Session regarding bail.
(1) A High Court or Court of Session may
direct-
(a) that any person accused of an offence and in custody be released on bail,
and if the offence is of the nature specified in sub-section (3) of section
437, may impose any condition which it considers necessary for the purposes
mentioned in that sub-section;
(b) that any condition imposed by a Magistrate when releasing any person on
bail be set aside or modified:
Providedthat the High Court or the Court of
Session shall, before granting bail to a person who is accused of an offence
which is triable exclusively by the Court of Session or which, though not so
triable, is punishable with imprisonment for life, give notice of the
application for bail to the Public Prosecutor unless it is, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, of opinion that it is not practicable to give such notice.
(2) A High Court or Court of Session may direct that any person who has been
released on bail under this Chapter be arrested and commit him to custody.
Section 440
Amount of bond and reduction thereof.
(1) The amount of every bond executed under
this Chapter shall be fixed with due regard to the circumstances of the case
and shall not be excessive.
(2) The High Court or Court of Session may direct that the bail required by a
police officer or Magistrate be reduced.
Section 441
Bond of accused and sureties.
(1) Before any person is released on bail or
released on his own bond, a bond for such sum of money as the police officer or
Court, as the case may be, thinks sufficient shall be executed by such person,
and, when he is released on bail, by one or more sufficient sureties
conditioned that such person shall attend at the time and place mentioned in
the bond, and shall continue so to attend until otherwise directed by the
police officer or Court, as the case may be.
(2) Where any condition is imposed for the release of any person on bail, the
bond shall also contain that condition.
(3) If the case so requires, the bond shall also bind the person released on
bail to appear when called upon at the High Court, Court of Session or other
Court to answer the charge.
(4) For the purpose of determining whether the sureties are fit or sufficient,
the Court may accept affidavits in proof of the facts contained therein
relating to the sufficiency or fitness of the sureties, or, if it considers
necessary, may either hold an inquiry itself or cause an inquiry to be made by
a Magistrate subordinate to the Court, as to such sufficiency of fitness.
Section 442
Discharge from custody.
(1) As soon as the bond has been executed, the
person for whose appearance it has been executed shall be released; and, when
he is in jail, the Court admitting him to bail shall issue an order of release
to the officer in charge of the jail, and such officer on receipt of the orders
shall release him.
(2) Nothing in this section, section 436 or section 437 shall be deemed to
require the release of any person liable to be detained for some matter other
than that in respect of which the bond was executed.
Section 443
Power to order sufficient bail when that first taken in insufficient.
If, through mistake, fraud, or otherwise,
insufficient sureties have been accepted, or if they afterwards become
insufficient, the Court may issue a warrant of arrest directing that the person
released on bail be brought before it and may order him to find sufficient
sureties, and, on his failing so to do, may commit him to jail.
Section 444
Discharge of sureties.
(1) All or any sureties for the attendance and
appearance of a person released on bail may at any time apply to a Magistrate
to discharge the bond, either wholly or so far as relates to the applicants.
(2) On such application being made, the Magistrate shall issue his warrant of
arrest directing that the person so released be brought before him.
(3) On the appearance of such person pursuant to the warrant, or on his
voluntary surrender, the Magistrate shall direct the bond to be discharged
either wholly or so far as relates to the applicants, and shall call upon such
person to find other sufficient sureties, and, if he fails to do so, may commit
him to jail.
Section 445
Deposit instead of recognizance.
When any person is required by any Court or
officer to execute a bond with or without sureties, such Court or officer may,
except in the case of a bond for good behavior, permit him to deposit a sum of
money or Government promissory notes to such amount as the Court or officer may
fix in lieu of executing such bond.
Section 446
Procedure when bond has been forfeited.
(1) Where a bond under this Code is for
appearance, or for production of property, before a Court and it is proved to
the satisfaction of that Court, or of any Court to which the case has
subsequently been transferred, that the bond has been forfeited, or where, in
respect of any other bond under this Code, it is proved to the satisfaction of
the Court by which the bond was taken, or of any Court to which the case has
subsequently been transferred, or of the Court of any Magistrate of the first
class, that the bond has been forfeited, the Court shall record the grounds of
such proof, and may call upon any person bound by such bond to pay the penalty
thereof or to show cause why it should not be paid.
Explanation.-A condition in a bond for appearance, or for production of
property, before a Court shall be construed as including a condition for
appearance, or as the case may be, for production of property, before any Court
to which the case may subsequently be transferred.
(2) If sufficient cause is not shown and the penalty is not paid, the Court may
proceed to recover the same as if such penalty were a fine imposed by it under
this Code.
(3) The Court may, at its discretion, remit any portion of the penalty
mentioned and enforce payment in part only.
(4) Where a surety to a bond dies before the bond is forfeited, his estate
shall be discharged from all liability in respect of the bond.
(5) Where any person who has furnished security under section 106 or section
117 or section 360 is convicted of an offence the commission of which
constitutes a breach of the conditions of his bond, or of a bond executed in
lieu of his bond under section 448, a certified copy of the judgment of the
Court by which he was convicted of such offence may be used as evidence is
proceedings under this section against his surety or sureties, and, if such
certified copy is so used, the Court shall presume that such offence was
committed by him unless the contrary is proved.
Section 447
Procedure in case of insolvency or death of surety or when a bond is
forfeited.-
When any surety to a bond under this Code
becomes insolvent or dies, or when any bond is forfeited under the provisions
of section 446, the Court by whose order such bond was taken, or a Magistrate
of the first class may order the person from whom such security was demanded to
furnish fresh security in accordance with the directions of the original order,
and if such security is not furnished, such Court or Magistrate may proceed as
if there had been a default in complying with such original order.
Section 448
Bond required from minor.
When the person required by any Court, or
officer to execute a bond is a minor, such Court or officer may accept, in lieu
thereof, a bond executed by a surety or sureties only.
Section 449
Appeal from orders under section 446.
All orders passed under section 446, shall be
punishable,-
(i) in the case of an order made by a
Magistrate, to the Sessions Judge;
(ii) in the case of an order made by a Court of
Session, to the Court to which an appeal lies from an order made by such Court.
Section 450
Power to direct levy of amount due on
certain recognizances.-
The High Court or Court of Session may direct
any Magistrate to levy the amount due on a bond for appearance or attendance at
such High Court or Court of Session.
Section 451
Order for custody and disposal of property pending
trial in certain cases.-
When any property is produced before any Criminal Court during
any inquiry or trial, the Court may make such order as it thinks fit for the
proper custody of such property pending the conclusion of the inquiry or trial,
and, if the property is subject to speedy and natural decay, or if it is
otherwise expedient so to do, the Court may, after recording such evidence as
it thinks necessary, order it to be sold or otherwise disposed of.
Explanation.-For the purposes of this section,
"property">includes -
(a) property of any kind or document which is produced before
the Court or which is in its custody,
(b) any property regarding which an offence appears to have been
committed or which appears to have been used for the commission of any offence.
Section 452
Order for disposal of property at conclusion of
trial.-
(1) When an inquiry or trial in any Criminal Court is concluded,
the Court may make such order as it thinks fir for the disposal, by
destruction, confiscation or delivery to any person claiming to be entitled to
possession thereof or otherwise, of any property or document produced before it
or in its custody, or regarding which any offence appears to have been
committed, or which has been used for the commission of any offence.
(2) An order may be made under sub-section (1) for the delivery
of any property to any person claiming to be entitled to the possession
thereof, without any condition or on condition that he executes a bond, with or
without sureties, to the satisfaction of the Court, engaging to restore such
property to the Court if the order made under sub-section (1) is modified or
set aside on appeal or revision.
(3) A Court of Session may, instead of itself making an order
under sub-section (1), direct the property to be delivered to the Chief
Judicial Magistrate, who shall thereupon deal with it in the manner provided in
sections 457, 458 and 459.
(4) Except where the property is livestock or is subject to
speedy and natural decay, or where a bond has been executed in pursuance of
sub-section (2), an order made under sub-section (1) shall not be carried out
for two months, or when an appeal is presented, until such appeal has been
disposed of.
(5) In this section, the term "property">includes, in
the case of property regarding which an offence appears to have been committed,
not only such property as has been originally in the possession or under the
control of any party, but also any property into or for which the same may have
been converted or exchanged, and anything acquired by such conversion or
exchange, whether immediately or otherwise.
Section 453
Payment to innocent purchaser of money found on
accused.-
When any person is convicted of any offence which includes, or
amounts to, theft or receiving stolen property, and it is proved that any other
person bought the stolen property from him without knowing or having reason to
believe that the same was stolen, and that any money has on his arrest been
taken out of the possession of the convicted person, the Court may, on the
application of such purchaser and on the restitution of the stolen property to
the person entitled to the possession thereof, order that out of such money a
sum not exceeding the price paid by such purchaser be delivered to him.
Section 454
Appeal against orders under section 452 or section
453.-
(1) Any person aggrieved by an order made by a Court under
section 452 or section 453, may appeal against it to the Court to which appeals
ordinarily lie from convictions by the former Court.
(2) On such appeal, the Appellate Court may direct the order to
be stayed pending disposal of the appeal, or may modify, alter or annul the order
and make any further orders that may be just.
(3) The powers referred to in sub-section (2) may also be
exercised by a Court of appeal, confirmation or revision while dealing with the
case in which the order referred to in sub-section (1) was made.
Section 455
Destruction of libelous and other matter.
(1) On a conviction under section 292, section 293, section 501
or section 502 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860), the Court may order the
destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction
was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession
or power of the person convicted.
(2) The Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under section 272, section
273, section 274 or section 275 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1860), order the
food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was
had, to be destroyed.
Section 456
Power to restore possession of immovable property.
(1) When a person is convicted of an offence attended by
criminal force or show of force or by criminal intimidation, and it appears to
the Court that, by such force or show of force or intimidation, any person has
been is possessed of any immovable property, the Court may, if it thinks fit,
order that possession of the same be restored to that person after evicting by
force, if necessary, any other person who may be in possession of the property:
Providedthat no such order shall be made by the Court
more than one month after the date of the conviction.
(2) Where the Court trying the offence has not made an order
under sub-section (1), the Court of appeal, confirmation or revision may, if it
thinks fit, make such order while disposing of the appeal, reference or
revision, as the case may be.
(3) Where an order has been made under sub-section (1), the
provisions of section 454 shall apply in relation thereto as they apply in
relation to an order under section 453.
(4) No order made under this section shall prejudice any right
or interest to or in such immovable property which any person may be able to
establish in a civil suit.
Section 457
Procedure by Police upon seizure of property.
(1) Whenever the seizure of property by any police officer is
reported to a Magistrate under the provisions of this Code, and such property
is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the
Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit respecting the disposal of such
property or the delivery of such property to the person entitled to the
possession thereof, or if such person cannot be ascertained, respecting the
custody and production of such property.
(2) If the person so entitled is known, the Magistrate may order
the property to be delivered to him on such conditions (if any) as the
Magistrate thinks fit and if such person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain
it and shall, in such case, issue a proclamation specifying the articles of
which such property consists, and requiring any person who may have a claim
thereto, to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from
the date of such proclamation.
Section 458
Procedure where no claimant appears within six
months.-
(1) If no person within such period establishes his claim to
such property, and if the person in whose possession such property was found is
unable to show that it was legally acquired by him, the Magistrate may by order
direct that such property shall be at the disposal of the State Government and
may be sold by that Government and the proceeds of such sale shall be dealt
with in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) An appeal shall lie against any such order to the Court to
which appeals ordinarily lie from convictions by the Magistrate.
Section 459
Power to sell perishable property.
If the person entitled to the possession of such property is
unknown or absent and the property is subject to speedy and natural decay, or
if the Magistrate to whom its seizure is reported is of opinion that its sale
would be for the benefit of the owner, or that the value of such property is
less than ten rupees, the Magistrate may at any time direct it to be sold; and
the provisions of sections 457 and 458 shall, as nearly as may be practicable,
apply to the net proceeds of such sale.
Section 460
Irregularities which do not vitiate proceedings.
If any Magistrate not empowered by law to do any of the
following things, namely:-
(a) to issue a search-warrant under section 94;
(b) to order, under section 155, the police to investigate an
offence;
(c) to hold an inquest under section 176;
(d) to issue process under section 187, for the apprehension of
a person within his local jurisdiction who has committed an offence outside the
limits of such jurisdiction;
(e) to take cognizance of an offence under clause (a) or clause
(b) of sub-section (1) of section 190;
(f) to make over a case under sub-section (2) of section 192;
(g) to tender a pardon under section 306;
(h) to recall a case and try it himself under section 410; or
(i) to sell property under section 458 or section 459,
erroneously in good faith does that thing, his proceedings shall not be set
aside merely on the ground of his not being so empowered.
Section 461
Irregularities which vitiate proceedings.
If any Magistrate, not being empowered by law in this behalf,
does any of the following things, namely:-
(a) attaches and sells property under section 83;
(b) issues a search-warrant for a document, parcel or other
thing in the custody of a postal or telegraph authority;
(c) demands security to keep the peace;
(d) demands security for good behavior;
(e) discharges a person lawfully bound to be of good behavior;
(f) cancels a bond to keep the peace;
(g) makes an order for maintenance;
(h) makes an order under section 133 as to a local nuisance;
(i) prohibits, under section 143, the repetition or continuance
of a public nuisance;
(j) makes an order under Part C or Part D of Chapter X;
(k) takes cognizance of an offence under clause (c) of
sub-section (1) of section 190;
(l) tries an offender;
(m) tries an offender summarily;
(n) passes a sentence, under section 325, on proceedings
recorded by another Magistrate;
(o) decides an appeal;
(p) calls, under section 397, for proceedings; or
(q) revises an order passed under section 446, his proceedings
shall be void.
Section 462
Proceedings in wrong place.
No finding, sentence or order of any Criminal Court shall be set
aside merely on the ground that the inquiry, trial or other proceedings in the
course of which it was arrived at or passed, took place in a wrong sessions
division, district, sub-division or other local area, unless it appears that
such error has in fact occasioned a failure of justice.
Section 463
Non-compliance with provisions of section 164 or
section 281.-
(1) If any Court before which a confession or other statement of
an accused person recorded, or purporting to be recorded under section 164 or
section 281, is tendered, or has been received, in evidence finds that any of
the provisions of either of such sections have not been complied with by the
Magistrate recording the statement, it may, notwithstanding anything contained
in section 91 of the Indian Evidence pct, 1872, take evidence in regard to such
non-compliance, and may, if satisfied that such non-compliance has not injured
the accused in his defense on the merits and that he duly made the statement
recorded, admit such statement.
(2) The provisions of this section apply to Courts of appeal,
reference and revision.
Section 464
Effect of omission to frame, or absence of, or error
in, charge.-
(1) No finding, sentence or order by a Court of competent
jurisdiction shall be deemed invalid merely on the ground that no charge was
framed or on the ground of any error, omission or irregularity in the charge
including any misjoinder of charges, unless, in the opinion of the Court of
appeal, confirmation or revision, a failure of justice has in fact been
occasioned thereby.
(2) If the Court of appeal, confirmation or revision is of
opinion that a failure of justice has in fact been occasioned, it may-
(a) in the case of an omission to frame a
charge, order that a charge be framed and that the trial be recommenced from
the point immediately after the framing of the charge;
(b) in the case of an error, omission or
irregularity in the charge, direct a new trial to be had upon a charge framed
in whatever manner it thinks fit:
Providedthat if the Court is of opinion that the facts
of the case are such that no valid charge could be preferred against the
accused in respect of the facts proved, it shall quash the conviction.
Section 465
Finding or sentence when reversible by reason of
error, omission or irregularity.-
(1) Subject to the provisions hereinbefore contained, no
finding, sentence or order passed by a Court of competent jurisdiction shall be
reversed or altered by a Court of appeal, confirmation or revision on account
of any error, omission or irregularity in the complaint, summons, warrant,
proclamation, order, judgment or other proceedings before or during trial or in
any inquiry or other proceedings under this Code, or any error, or irregularity
in any sanction for the prosecution, unless in the opinion of that Court, a
failure of justice has in fact been occasioned thereby.
(2) In determining whether any error, omission or irregularity
in any proceeding under this Code, or any error, or irregularity in any
sanction for the prosecution has occasioned a failure of justice, the Court
shall have regard to the fact whether the objection could not should have been
raised at an earlier stage in the proceedings.
Section 466
Defect or error not to make attachment unlawful.
No attachment made under this Code shall be deemed unlawful, nor
shall any person making the same be deemed a trespasser, on account of any
defect or want of form in the summons, conviction, writ of attachment or other
proceedings relating thereto.
Section 467
Definitions.
For the purposes of this Chapter, unless the context otherwise
requires, "period of limitation">means the period specified in
section 468 for taking cognizance of an offence.
Section 468
Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of the period of
limitation.-
(1) Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Code, no
Court shall take cognizance of an offence of the category specified in
sub-section (2), after the expiry of the period of limitation.
(2) The period of limitation shall be -
(a) six months, if the offence is punishable
with fine only;
(b) one year, if the offence is punishable
with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year;
(c) three years, if the offence is punishable
with imprisonment for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding three years.
Section 469
Commencement of the period of limitation.
(1) The period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall
commence, -
(a) on the date of the offence; or
(b) where the commission of the offence was
not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer, the
first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any
police officer, whichever is earlier; or
(c) where it is not known by whom the offence
was committed, the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to
the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making
investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.
(2) In computing the said period, the day from which such period
is to be computed shall be excluded.
Section 470
Exclusion of time in certain cases.
(1) In computing the period of limitation, the time during which
any person has been prosecuting with due diligence another prosecution, whether
in a Court of first instance or in a Court of appeal or revision, against the
offender, shall be excluded:
Providedthat no such exclusion shall be made unless
the prosecution relates to the same facts and is prosecuted in good faith in a
Court which from defect of jurisdiction or other cause of a like nature, is
unable to entertain it.
(2) Where the institution of the prosecution in respect of an
offence has been stayed by an injunction or order, then, in computing the
period of limitation, the period of the continuance of the injunction or order,
the day on which it was issued or made, and the day on which it was withdrawn,
shall be excluded.
(3) Where notice of prosecution for an offence has been given,
or where, under any law for the time being in force, the previous consent or
sanction of the Government or any other authority is required for the
institution of any prosecution for an offence, then, in computing the period of
limitation, the period of such notice or, as the case may be, the time required
for obtaining such consent or sanction shall be excluded.
Explanation.-In computing the time required for obtaining
the consent or sanction of the Government or any other authority, the date on
which the application was made for obtaining the consent or sanction and the
date of receipt of the order of the Government or other authority shall both
the excluded.
(4) In computing the period of limitation, the time during which
the offender:-
(a) has been absent from India or from any
territory outside India which is under the administration of he Central Government,
or
(b) has avoided arrest by absconding or
concealing himself, shall be excluded.
Section 471
Exclusion of date on which Court is closed.
Where the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court
is closed, the Court may take cognizance on the day on which the Court reopens.
Explanation.-A Court shall be deemed to be closed on any
day within the meaning of this section, if, during its normal working hours, it
remains closed on that day.
Section 472
Continuing offence.
In the case of a continuing offence, a fresh period of
limitation shall begin to run at every moment of the time during which the
offence continues.
Section 473
Extension of period of limitation in certain cases.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions
of this Chapter, any Court may take cognizance of an offence after the expiry
of the period of limitation, if it is satisfied on the facts and in the
circumstances of the case that the delay has been properly explained or that it
is necessary so to do in the interests of justice.
Section 474
Trials before High Courts.
When an offence is tried by the High Court otherwise than under
section 407, it shall, in the trial of the offence, observe the same procedure
as a Court of Session would observe if it were trying the case.
Section 475
Delivery to commanding officers of persons liable to
be tried by Court-martial.-
(1) The Central Government may make rules consistent with this
Code and the Army Act, 1950, (46 of 1950)the Navy Act, 1957, (62 of 1957) and
the Air Force Act, 1950, (45 of 1950) and any other law, relating to the Armed
Forces of the Union, for the time being in force, as to cases in which persons
subject to military, naval or air force law, or such other law, shall be tried
by a Court to which this Code applies or by a Court-martial; and when any
person is brought before a Magistrate and charged with an offence for which he
is liable to be tried either by a Court to which this Code applies or by a
Court-martial, such Magistrate shall have regard to such rules, and shall in
proper cases deliver him, together with a statement of the offence of which he
is accused, to the commanding officer of the unit to which he belongs, or to
the commanding officer of the nearest military, naval or air force station, as
the case may be, for the purpose of being tried by a Court-martial.
Explanation.-In this section-
(a) "unit">includes a regiment,
corps, ship, detachment, group, battalion or company,
(b) "Court-martial">includes any
tribunal with the powers similar to those of a Court-martial constituted under
the relevant law applicable to the Armed Forces of the Union.
(2) Every Magistrate shall, on receiving a written application
for that purpose by the commanding officer of any unit or body of soldiers,
sailors or airmen stationed or employed at any such place, use his utmost
endeavors to apprehend and secure any person accused of such offence.
(3) A High Court may, if it thinks fit, direct that a prisoner
detained in any jail situate within the State be brought before a Court-martial
for trial or to be examined touching any matter pending before the
Court-martial.
Section 476
Forms
Subject to the power conferred by article 227 of the
Constitution, the forms set forth in the Second Schedule, with such variations
as the circumstances of each case require, may be used for the respective
purposes therein mentioned, and if used shall be sufficient.
Section 477
Power of High Court to make rules.
(1) Every High Court may, with the previous approval of the
State Government, make rules-
(a) as to the persons who may be permitted to
act as petition-writers in the Criminal Courts subordinate to it;
(b) regulating the issue of licenses to such
persons, the conduct of business by them, and the scale of fees to be charged
by them;
(c) providing a penalty for a contravention of
any of the rules so made and determining the authority by which such
contravention may be investigated and the penalties imposed;
(d) any other matter which is required to be,
or may be, prescribed.
(2) All rules made under this section shall be published in the
Official Gazette.
Section 478
Power to alter functions allocated to judicial and
Executive Magistrates in certain cases.-
If the State Legislature by a resolution so requires, the State
Government may, after consultation with the High Court, by notification, direct
that-
(a) references in section 108, 109 and 110 to a Judicial
Magistrate of the first class shall be construed as references to an Executive
Magistrate;
(b) references in sections 145 and 147 to an Executive
Magistrate shall be construed as references to a Judicial Magistrate of the
first class.
Section 479
Case in which Judge or Magistrate is personally
interested.-
No Judge or Magistrate shall, except with the permission of the
Court to which an appeal lies from his Court, try or commit for trial any case
to or in which he is a party, or personally interested, and no Judge or
Magistrate shall hear an appeal from any judgment or order passed or made by
himself.
Explanation.-A Judge or Magistrate shall not be deemed to
be a party to, or personally interested in, any case by reason only that he is
concerned therein in a public capacity, or by reason only that he has viewed
the place in which an offence is alleged to have been committed or any other
place in which any other transaction material to the case is alleged to have
occurred and made an inquiry in connection with the case.
Section 480
Practising pleader not to sit as Magistrate in certain
Courts.-
No pleader who practices in the Court of any Magistrate shall
sit as a Magistrate in that Court or in any Court within the local jurisdiction
of that Court.
Section 481
Public servant concerned in sale not to purchase or
bid for property .-
A public servant having any duty to perform in connection with
the sale of any property under this Code shall not purchase or bid for the
property.
Section 482
Saving of inherent powers of High Court.
Nothing in this Code shall be deemed to limit or affect the
inherent powers of the High Court to make such orders as may be necessary to
give effect to any order under this Code, or to prevent abuse of the process of
any Court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice.
Section 483
Duty of High Court to exercise continuous
superintendence over Courts of Judicial Magistrates .-
Every High Court shall so exercise its superintendence over the
Courts of Judicial Magistrates subordinate to it as to ensure that there is an
expeditious and proper disposal of cases by such Magistrates.
Section 484
Repeal and savings.
(1) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, (5 of 1898) is hereby
repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,-
(a) if, immediately before the date on which
this Code comes into force, there is any appeal, application, trial, inquiry or
investigation pending, then, such appeal, application, trial, inquiry or
investigation shall be disposed of, continued, held or made, as the case may
be, in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898,
(5 of 1898) as in force immediately before such commencement, (hereinafter
referred to as the Old Code), as if this Code had not come into force:
Provided that every inquiry under Chapter XVIII
of the Old Code, which is pending at the commencement of this Code, shall be
dealt with and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this Code;
(b) all notifications published, proclamations
issued, powers conferred, forms, prescribed, local jurisdictions defined,
sentences passed and orders, rules and appointments, not being appointments as
Special Magistrates, made under the Old Code and which are in force immediately
before the commencement of this Code, shall be deemed, respectively, to have
been published, issued, conferred, prescribed, defined, passed or made under
the corresponding provisions of this Code;
(c) any sanction accorded or consent given
under the Old Code in pursuance of which no proceeding was commenced under that
Code, shall be deemed to have been accorded or given under the corresponding
provisions of this Code and proceedings may be commenced under this Code in
pursuance of such sanction or consent;
(d) the provisions of the Old Code shall
continue to apply in relation to every prosecution against a Ruler within the
meaning of article 363 of the Constitution.
(3) Where the period prescribed for an application or other
proceeding under the Old Code had expired on or before the commencement of this
Code, nothing in this Code shall be construed as enabling any such application
to be made or proceeding to be commenced under this Code by reason only of the
fact that a longer period therefor is prescribed by this Code or provisions are
made in this Code for the extension of time.
