BNSS §231
copies of statements of each of the following:-- other cases examined by the Magistrate; Session.
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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.
231. Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 227 that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following:— (i) the statements recorded under section 223 or section 225, of all persons examined by the Magistrate; (ii) the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under section 180 or section 183; (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 an advocate in Court: Provided further that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.
What changedAI-inferred
Supply of copies of statements and documents — BNSS 231 includes electronic records.
Old position
CrPC 208 is concerned with Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session. Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session
New position
BNSS 231 modifies the framework. Topic: copies of statements of each of the following:-- other cases examined by the Magistrate; Session.. Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 227 that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the
BNSS 231 modifies CrPC 208. Supply of copies of statements and documents — BNSS 231 includes electronic records. BNSS 231 text: Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 227 that the offence is triable exclusively...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNSS 231 carries forward CrPC 208's framework for free supply of the case-instituting documents to the accused in proceedings instituted otherwise than on a police report where the offence is exclusively triable by the Court of Session. The list of items - statements recorded by the Magistrate, statements and confessions recorded under the witness-examination and confession provisions, and documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely - is preserved character-identically apart from cross-reference renumbers from CrPC ss.200, 202, 161, 163, 204 to BNSS ss.223, 225, 180, 183, 227. The timing language is tightened from 'without delay' to 'forthwith' without altering the immediacy obligation.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, CrPC 208 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNSS 231 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNSS 231 (copies of statements of each of the following:-- other cases examined by the Magistrate; Session.). The relationship is classified as modified — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, CRPC §208 → BNSS §231 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bnss/231.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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