CRPC §281BNSS §316

Record of examination of accused

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checked
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Verify current status against official sources. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

Jump to section

Comparison

Old law
CRPC §281
Record of examination of accused

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. STATE AMENDMENT Gujarat In the principal Act, in section 281, in sub-section (6), after the words “the examination of an accused person”, the words “either through the medium of Electronic Video Linkage or” shall be inserted. [Vide Gujarat Act 31 of 2017, sec. 4.]

New law
BNSS §316
Record of examination of accused.

316.

(1) Whenever the accused is examined by any 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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: Provided that where the accused is in custody and is examined through electronic communication, his signature shall be taken within seventy-two hours of such examination.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to the examination of an accused person in the course of a summary trial.

What changedAI-inferred

Record of examination of accused.

Old position

CrPC 281 is concerned with Record of examination of accused. Record of examination of accused

New position

BNSS 316 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Record of examination of accused.. Whenever the accused is examined by any 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

BNSS 316 (Record of examination of accused.) preserves the framework of CrPC 281. BNSS 316 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNSS 316 text: Whenever the accused is examined by any...

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNSS 316 (Record of examination of accused.) preserves the framework of CrPC 281. BNSS 316 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.

BNSS 316 text: Whenever the accused is examined by any 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,...

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, CrPC 281 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNSS 316 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 316 (Record of examination of accused.). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, CRPC §281 → BNSS §316 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/crpc/281.

Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01

Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.