THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973


Table of contents

INTRODUCTION

PREAMBLE

 

CHAPTER 1 - PRELIMINARY.

CHAPTER II - CONSTITUTION OFCRIMINAL COURTS AND OFFICES.

CHAPTER III - POWER OF COURTS.

CHAPTER IV A - POWERS OFSUPERIOR OFFICERS OF POLICE.

CHAPTER IV B - AID TO THEMAGISTRATES AND THE POLICE.

CHAPTER V - ARREST OF PERSONS.

CHAPTER VI-  PROCESSES TO COMPEL APPEARANCE.

CHAPTER VI A -SUMMONS.

CHAPTER VI B -WARRANT OFARREST.

CHAPTER VI C -PROCLAMATIONAND ATTACHMENT.

CHAPTER VI D -OTHER RULESREGARDING PROCESSES.

 

CHAPTER VII -PROCESSES TO COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF THINGS.

CHAPTER VII A- SUMMONS TOPRODUCE.

CHAPTER VII B -SEARCH-WARRANTS.

CHAPTER VII C -GENERALPROVISIONS RELATING TO SEARCHES.

CHAPTER VII D- MISCELLANEOUS.

CHAPTER VII E -RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE INCERTAIN MATTERS AND PROCEDURE FOR ATTACHMENT AND FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY.

CHAPTER VIII -SECURITYFOR KEEPING THE PEACE AND FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR.

CHAPTER IX -ORDER FOR MAINTENANCEOF WIVES, CHILDREN AND PARENTS.

CHAPTER X -MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER AND TRANQUILLITY.

CHAPTER X A -UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLIES.

CHAPTER X B -PUBLIC NUISANCES.

CHAPTER X C -URGENT CASES OFNUISANCE OR APPREHENDED DANGER.

CHAPTER X D -DISPUTES AS TOIMMOVABLE PROPERTY.

CHAPTER XI -PREVENTIVE ACTION OFTHE POLICE.

CHAPTER XII -INFORMATION TO THEPOLICE AND THEIR POWERS TO INVESTIGATE.

CHAPTER XIII -JURISDICTIONOF THE CRIMINAL COURTS IN INQUIRIES AND TRIALS.

CHAPTER XIV-CONDITIONS REQUISITEFOR INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS.

CHAPTER XV -COMPLAINTS TO MAGISTRATES.

CHAPTER XVI- COMMENCEMENT OFPROCEEDINGS BEFORE MAGISTRATES.

CHAPTER XVII -THE CHARGE.

CHAPTER XVII A -FORM OFCHARGES.

CHAPTER XVII B -JOINDER OFCHARGES.

CHAPTER XVIII- TRIAL BEFORE A COURT OF SESSION.

CHAPTER XIX-TRIAL OF WARRANT-CASES BY MAGISTRATES.

 

CHAPTER XIX A -CASES INSTITUTED ON A POLICE REPORT.

CHAPTER XIX B- CASES INSTITUTED OTHERWISE THAN ON POLICE REPORT.

CHAPTER XIX C- CONCLUSION OF TRIAL.

CHAPTER XX -TRIAL OF SUMMONS-CASES BY MAGISTRATES.

CHAPTER XXI -SUMMARY TRIALS.

CHAPTER XXII- ATTENDANCE OF PERSONS CONFINED OR DETAINED INPRISONS.

CHAPTER XXIII -EVIDENCE IN INQUIRIES AND TRIALS.

CHAPTER XXIII A- MODE OF TAKING AND RECORDING EVIDENCE.

CHAPTER XXIII B -COMMISSIONS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.

CHAPTER XXIV-GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO INQUIRIES AND TRIALS.

CHAPTER XXV -PROVISIONS AS TO ACCUSED PERSONS OF UNSOUND.

CHAPTER XXVI- PROVISIONS AS TO OFFENCES AFFECTING THE.

 

CHAPTER XXVII -THE JUDGMENT.

CHAPTER XXVIII -SUBMISSION OF DEATH SENTENCES FOR CONFIRMATION.

CHAPTER XXIX -APPEALS.

CHAPTER XXX -REFERENCE AND REVISION.

CHAPTER XXXI -TRANSFER OF CRIMINAL CASES.

CHAPTER XXXII -EXECUTION, SUSPENSION, REMISSION AND COMMUTATION OF SENTENCES.

CHAPTER XXXII A- DEATH SENTENCES.

CHAPTER XXXII B- IMPRISONMENT.

CHAPTER XXXII C- LEVY OF FINE.

CHAPTER XXXII D -GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING EXECUTION.

CHAPTER XXXII E- SUSPENSION, REMISSION AND COMMUTATION OF.

CHAPTER XXXIII -PROVISIONS AS TO BAIL AND BONDS.

CHAPTER XXXIV -DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY.

CHAPTER XXXV -IRREGULAR PROCEEDINGS.

 

CHAPTER XXXVI -LIMITATION FOR TAKING COGNIZANCE OF CERTAIN.

CHAPTER XXXVII -MISCELLANEOUS.

CHAPTER XXXVII




CHAPTER XXXVII - MISCELLANEOUS
474. Trials before High Court.
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 Sessions would observe, if it were
trying the case.
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, navel 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 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 Courtmartial
constituted under the relevant law applicable to the Armed Forces of the Union.
(2) Every Magistrate shall, on receiving a written application for that purposes by the
commanding officer of any unit or body of soldiers, sailors or airmen stationed or employed at
any such place, use his utmost endeavours 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.
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.
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 licences 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, may be, prescribed.
(2) All rules made under this section shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Comments
Rules and orders for the guidance of the criminal Courts in a state are issued by the High Court
in exercise of its powers conferred by Article 227 of the Constitution of India and section 477 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure; K. Umapathy v. Superintendent of Jail, (1997) 2 Crimes 609
(AP).
478. Power to alter functions allocated to Executive Magistrates in certain cases.
If the Legislative Assembly of a State by a resolution so permits, the State Government may,
after consultation with High Court, by notification, direct that references in sections 108, 109,
110, 145 and 147 to an Executive Magistrate shall be construed as references to a Judicial
Magistrate of the first class.
STATE AMENDMENT
Maharashtra:
In section 478 for the words "to an Executive Magistrate shall be construed" the words "to an
Executive Magistrate in the areas of the State outside Greater Bombay shall be construed" shall
be substituted.
Vide Maharashtra Act 1 of 1978 (w.e.f. 15-4-1978).
480. Practising pleader not to sit as Magistrate in certain Courts.
No pleader who practises 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.
STATE AMENDMENT
Karnataka:
After section 480, the following section(480A) shall be inserted.
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.
482. Saving of inherent power 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.
COMMENTS
(i) When the investigation of the case had been handed over to the CID because of unsatisfactory
investigation by the police, the quashing of charges under section 302 read with section 120B,
IPC against the accused in exercise of powers under section 482 by the High Court on the
conclusion of the inadequacy of evidence was unwarranted as at the stage of framing of charges,
meticulous consideration of evidence and material by the Court was not required; Radhey Shyam
v. Kunj Behari, (1990) Cr LJ 668 (SC) : AIR 1990 SC 121.
(ii) In exercising jurisdiction under section 482 High Court would not embark upon an enquiry
whether the allegations in the complaint are likely to be established by evidence or not; State of
Bihar v. Murad Ali Khan, (1989) Cr LJ 1005: AIR 1989 SC 1.
(iii) To prevent abuse of the process of the Court, High Court in exercise of its inherent powers
under section 482 could quash the proceedings but there would be justification for interference
only when the complaint did not disclose any offence or was frivolous vexatious or oppressive;
Dhanlakshmi (Mrs.) v. R. Prasana Kumar, (1990) Cr LJ 320 (DB): AIR 1990 SC 494.
(iv) Where there was some discrepancy mainly in regard to the implications of respondent by
name in the FIR and the statement of the witnesses recorded during the investigation, the practice
of prejudging the question by the High Court without affording reasonable opportunity to the
prosecution to substantiate the allegations have on more than one occasion been found fault with
by the Supreme Court, Thus there is no justification by the High Court to interfere with the
prosecution at the preliminary stage; State of Bihar v. Raj Narain Singh, (1991) Cr LJ 1416
(1417) (SC).
(v) If the allegation made in the First Information Report are taken at their face value and
accepted in their entirety do not constitute an offence the criminal proceedings constituted on the
basis of such FIR should be quashed; State of Uttar Pradesh through CBI, SPE Lucknow v. R.K.
Srivastava, (1989) Cr LJ 230: AIR 1989 SC 2222.
(vi) It amounts to abuse of the process of the Court if without prima facie case having been made
out a person is summoned to face trial in a criminal proceeding; Laloo Prasad v. State of Bihar,
(1997) 2 Crimes 498 (Pat).
(vii) It is well settled that the inherent powers under section 482 can be exercised only when no
other remedy is available to the litigant and not where a specific remedy is provided by the
statute. Further, the power being an extraordinary one, it has to be exercised sparingly. If these
considerations are kept in mind there will be no inconsistency between sections 397(2) and 482
of this Code; Basudev Bhoi v. Bipadabhanjan Puhan, (1997) 2 Crimes 331 (Ori).
(viii) If the prosecution has been instituted within six months of Bengal Excise Act, 1909 under
section 92 alleged there is no question of producing any sanction as the Magistrate would then be
free to take cognizance under the Act. Reasoning adopted by the learned Single Judge that steps
for obtaining sanction should have been adopted before the expiry of first six months period has
no support in section 92. Quashing of proceeding not proper; State of West Bengal v. Rashmoy
Das, AIR 2000 SC 228.
(ix) Necessary ingredients of offence of cheating or criminal branch of trust have not been made
out but the attendant circumstances indicate that the FIR was lodged to prompt the filing of
criminal complaint against the informant under section 138 N.I. Act Quashing of FIR was proper
to avoid the abuse of process; Sunil Kumar v. Escorts Yamaha, AIR 2000 SC 27: 2000 Cr LJ 174
(SC).
(x) FIR lodges to preempt the filing of criminal complaint against the informant under section
138 N.I. Act Quashing of FIR proper, (See also AIR 1992 SC 1815); Sunil Kumar v. Escorts
Yamaha Motors Ltd., AIR 2000 SC 27: 2000 Cr LJ 174 (SC).
(xi) So far as the quashing of complaints and inquiry on the basis of FIR registered by the
complainant are concerned the High Court was not justified in interfering with the same and
quashing the proceeding by an elaborate decision on the merit of matter and in coming to
conclusion that section 195 of Cr PC will be a bar it was a premature conclusion. Order quashing
the two complaint set aside; Manohar v. Ashoka, AIR 2000 SC 202.
(xii) The extra-ordinary power under section 482 of Code have to be exercised sparingly and
should not be resorted to like remedy of appeal or revision; Kavita (Smt.) v. State, 2000 Cr LJ
315 (Del).
(xiii) In absence of any allegation in complaint that the petitioner was a director on the date when
cheque was issued by company or that he was incharge of and was responsible to company, the
complaint is liable to be quashed; M. Chockalingam v. Sundaram Finance Service Ltd., 2000 Cr
LJ 137 (Mad).
(xiv) When the provisions under section 37 of N.D.P.S. are applicable and operative with nonobstanate
clause, the powers of High Court remains restricted by limitation under section 37
(1)(b) of Act in considering bail application of accused charged for offence under N.D.P.S. Act,
then the accused not entitled to grant of interim bail; Islamuddin v. State of Delhi, 2000 Cr LJ
108 (Del.).
(xv) In absence of any valid ground, the F.I.R. lodged against immigration consultant for
violating sections 10, 16 of Emigration Act by issuing advertisement, High Court can not
interfere at the stage of F.I.R.; M.D.K. Immigration Consultant, Chandigarh v. Union of India,
2000 Cr LJ 252 (P&H).
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.
Comments
When alternative remedy is available, inherent powers cannot be exercised; Alimuddin Khan v.
Nasiran Bibi, 1998 Cr LJ 1811 (Ori).
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.
STATE AMENDMENT
Uttar Pradesh:
In sub-section (2) of section 484, after clause (d), the following clause shall be inserted and be
deemed always to have been inserted, namely:—
"(e) the provisions of the United Provinces Borstal Act, 1938 (U.P. Act VIII of 1938) the United
Provinces First Offenders Probation Act, 1938 (U.P. Act VI of 1938), and the Uttar Pradesh
Children Act, 1951 (U.P. Act 1 of 1951) shall continue in force in the State of Uttar Pradesh until
altered or repealed or amended by the competent Legislature or other competent authority, and
accordingly, the provisions of section 360 of this case shall not apply to that State, and the
provisions of section 361 shall apply with the substitution of references to the Central Act named
therein by references to the corresponding Acts in force in the State."
[Vide U.P. Act 16 of 1976, sec. 10 (w.e.f. 1-5-1976).
In sub-section (2) of section 484, in clause (a) after the proviso, the following further proviso
shall be inserted, namely:—
"Provided further that the provisions of section 326 of this Code as amended by the Code of
Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1976 shall apply also to every trial pending
in a Court of Session at the commencement of this Code and also pending at the commencement
of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1983".
[Vide U.P. Act 1 of 1984, sec. 11 (w.e.f. 1-5-1984). (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.
STATE AMENDMENT
Uttar Pradesh:
In sub-section (2) of section 484, after clause (d), the following clause shall be inserted and be
deemed always to have been inserted, namely:—
"(e) the provisions of the United Provinces Borstal Act, 1938 (U.P. Act VIII of 1938) the United
Provinces First Offenders Probation Act, 1938 (U.P. Act VI of 1938), and the Uttar Pradesh
Children Act, 1951 (U.P. Act 1 of 1951) shall continue in force in the State of Uttar Pradesh until
altered or repealed or amended by the competent Legislature or other competent authority, and
accordingly, the provisions of section 360 of this case shall not apply to that State, and the
provisions of section 361 shall apply with the substitution of references to the Central Act named
therein by references to the corresponding Acts in force in the State."
Vide U.P. Act 16 of 1976, sec. 10 (w.e.f. 1-5-1976).
In sub-section (2) of section 484, in clause (a) after the proviso, the following further proviso
shall be inserted, namely:—
"Provided further that the provisions of section 326 of this Code as amended by the Code of
Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1976 shall apply also to every trial pending
in a Court of Session at the commencement of this Code and also pending at the commencement
of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1983".
Vide U.P. Act 1 of 1984, sec. 11 (w.e.f. 1-5-1984).