BNSS §274
accusation to be stated.
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Comparison
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 defence to make, but it shall not be necessary to frame a formal charge. STATE AMENDMENT Chhattisgarh In Section 251 of the Principal Act, after the word “bought before the Magistrate” the following shall be added :— “Or appears through the medium of electronic video linkage in the presence of his pleader in the Court”. [Vide Chhattisgarh Act 13 of 2006, s. 6]
274. 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 defence to make, but it shall not be necessary to frame a formal charge: Absence of complainant. Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause. Substance of accusation to be stated. Provided that if the Magistrate considers the accusation as groundless, he shall, after recording reasons in writing, release the accused and such release shall have the effect of discharge.
What changedAI-inferred
Substance of accusation to be stated.
Old position
CrPC 251 is concerned with Substance of accusation to be stated. Substance of accusation to be stated
New position
BNSS 274 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: 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 defence to make, but it
BNSS 274 (accusation to be stated.) preserves the framework of CrPC 251. BNSS 274 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNSS 274 text: When in a summons-case the accused appears or is...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNSS 274 (accusation to be stated.) preserves the framework of CrPC 251. BNSS 274 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BNSS 274 text: 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 defence to make, but it shall not be necessary to frame a formal charge: Absence of complainant....
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, CrPC 251 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNSS 274 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 274 (accusation to be stated.). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — 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 §251 → BNSS §274 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/bnss/274.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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