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BNSS, 2023
Start Practicing
BNSSChapter XXVISection 361
Section361

Procedure in cases which Magistrate cannot dispose of

AI Assist

Summary

If a Magistrate, while conducting an inquiry or trial, finds the evidence suggests he lacks jurisdiction, that another Magistrate in the district should try the case, or that it belongs before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, he must stop the proceedings. He must send the case with a short report to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to whatever Magistrate the Chief Judicial Magistrate directs. The receiving Magistrate may then try the case if empowered, refer it to a subordinate with jurisdiction, or commit the accused for trial.

Example

Priya files an FIR after a neighbour accuses her of property damage. The local Magistrate starts inquiry but finds from the evidence that the offence occurred in another Magistrate's area and he lacks jurisdiction. He stays the proceedings, writes a short report, and forwards the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate for direction.

Bare Act

Enacted text

(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.

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XXVI

Chapter XXVI

General Provisions as to Inquiries and Trials

In this chapter

  • 337Person once convicted or acquitted not to be tried for same offence
  • 338Appearance by Public Prosecutors
  • 339Permission to conduct prosecution
  • 340Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended
  • 341Legal aid to accused at State expense in certain cases
  • 342Procedure when corporation or registered society is an accused
  • 343Tender of pardon to accomplice
  • 344Power to direct tender of pardon
  • 345Trial of person not complying with conditions of pardon
  • 346Power to postpone or adjourn proceedings
  • 347Local inspection
  • 348Power to summon material witness, or examine person present
  • 349Power of Magistrate to order person to give specimen signatures or handwriting, etc
  • 350Expenses of Complainants and witnesses
  • 351Power to Examine accused
  • 352Oral arguments and memorandum of arguments
  • 353Accused person to be competent witness
  • 354No influence to be used to induce disclosure
  • 355Provision for inquiries and trial being held in absence of accused in certain cases
  • 356Inquiry, trial or judgment in absentia of proclaimed offender
  • 357Procedure where accused does not understand proceedings
  • 358Power to Proceed against other persons appearing to be guilty of offence
  • 359Compounding of offences
  • 360Withdrawal from prosecution
  • 361Procedure in cases which Magistrate cannot dispose of
  • 362Procedure when after commencement of inquiry or trial, Magistrate finds case should be committed
  • 363Trial of persons previously convicted of offences against coinage, stamp-law or property
  • 364Procedure when Magistrate cannot pass sentence sufficiently severe
  • 365Conviction or commitment on evidence partly recorded by one Magistrate and partly by another
  • 366Court to be open
Previous · Section 360Withdrawal from prosecutionNext · Section 362Procedure when after commencement of inquiry or trial, Magistrate finds case should be committed