CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973
BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023
228. Framing of charge
251. Framing of charge
changed or removed in old law
changed or added in new law
Similar wording stays plain; only differences are highlighted.
CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973
228. Framing of charge.—(1) If, after such consideration and hearing as aforesaid, the Judge is of
opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence which—
(a) is not exclusively triable by the Court of Session, he may, frame a charge against the accused
and, by order, transfer the case for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, 3[or any other Judicial
Magistrate of the first class and direct the accused to appear before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, or,
as the case may be, the Judicial Magistrate of the first class, on such date as he deems fit, and
thereupon such Magistrate] shall try the offence in accordance with the procedure for the trial of
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2005, s. 21, for “Magistrate” (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
2. Subs. by s. 21, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
3. Subs. by s. 22, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 23-6-2006).
warrant-cases instituted on a police report;
(b) is exclusively triable by the Court, he shall frame in writing a charge against the accused.
(2) Where the Judge frames any charge under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the charge shall be read
and explained to the accused and the accused shall be asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence
charged or claims to be tried.
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh
In sub-section (2) of section 228 of the Principal Act, after the word “to the accused” the following shall be
added, namely: —
“present in person of through the medium of electronic video linkage and being represented by his pleader in the
Court.”
[Vide Chhattisgarh Act 13 of 2006, s. 4.]
Karnataka
Amendment of section 228.- In section 228 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act 2
of 1974), in sub-section (1), in clause (a), for the words “to the Chief Judicial Magistrate and thereupon
the Chief Judicial Magistrate” the words “to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to any Judicial Magistrate
competent to try the case and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate or such other Judicial magistrate to
whom the case may have been transferred” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 22 of 1994, s. 2.]
West Bengal
In section 228 of the said Code, in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 228, for the words “to the
Chief Judicial Magistrate, and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate” the words “to the Chief Judicial
Magistrate or to any Judicial Magistrate competent to try the case, and thereupon the Chief Judicial
Magistrate or such other Judicial Magistrate to whom the case may have been transferred” shall be
substituted.
[Vide West Bengal Act 63 of 1978, s. 3.]
Legacy / repealed by BNSS India Code — CrPC 1973
BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023
251. Framing of charge.—(1) If, after such consideration and hearing as aforesaid, the Judge is of
opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence which—
(a) is not exclusively triable by the Court of Session, he may, frame a charge against the accused
and, by order, transfer the case for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, or any other Judicial Magistrate
of the first class and direct the accused to appear before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, or the Judicial
Magistrate of the first class, on such date as he deems fit, and thereupon such Magistrate shall try the
offence in accordance with the procedure for the trial of warrant-cases instituted on a police report;
(b) is exclusively triable by the Court, he shall frame in writing a charge against the accused within
a period of sixty days from the date of first hearing on charge.
(2) Where the Judge frames any charge under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the charge shall be read and
explained to the accused present either physically or through audio-video electronic means and the accused
shall be asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence charged or claims to be tried.
Current law India Code — BNSS 2023