Application of Chapter
Full Text
(1) This Chapter shall apply in respect of an accused against whom—
- (a) the report has been forwarded by the officer in charge of the police station under section 193 alleging therein that an offence appears to have been committed by him other than an offence for which the punishment of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years has been provided under the law for the time being in force; or
- (b) a Magistrate has taken cognizance of an offence on complaint, other than an offence for which the punishment of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years, has been provided under the law for the time being in force, and after examining complainant and witnesses under section 223, issued the process under section 227,
but does not apply where such offence affects the socio-economic condition of the country or has been committed against a woman, or a child.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Central Government shall, by notification, determine the offences under the law for the time being in force which shall be the offences affecting the socio-economic condition of the country.
Plain English Summary
Defines the eligibility for Plea Bargaining: applies to offences punishable by up to 7 years, but excludes crimes against women, children, and socio-economic offences.
Key Legal Elements
- Defines where Plea Bargaining applies
- Applies to offences punishable by up to SEVEN years imprisonment
- Excludes offences punishable by death, life imprisonment, or more than 7 years
- STRICT EXCLUSIONS: Does not apply to offences affecting socio-economic condition of the country (notified by Central Govt)
- STRICT EXCLUSIONS: Does not apply to offences against WOMEN or CHILDREN
- Applies to both police report cases and complaint cases
Practical Note
This is the starting section for Plea Bargaining in BNSS. It sets clear boundaries: it's for less serious offences (up to 7 years) but maintains a zero-tolerance policy for crimes against women, children, and those affecting national socio-economic stability. Advocates use this to negotiate a lesser sentence for their clients in eligible cases.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) यह अध्याय उस अभियुक्त के संबंध में लागू होगा जिसके विरुद्ध—
- (क) पुलिस थाने के भारसाधक अधिकारी द्वारा धारा 193 के तहत रिपोर्ट भेजी गई है जिसमें यह आरोप लगाया गया है कि उसके द्वारा ऐसा अपराध किया गया प्रतीत होता है जिसके लिए मृत्युदंड या आजीवन कारावास या सात वर्ष से अधिक की अवधि के कारावास का दंड कानून के तहत प्रदान नहीं किया गया है; या
- (ख) किसी मजिस्ट्रेट ने परिवाद (complaint) पर किसी ऐसे अपराध का संज्ञान लिया है जिसके लिए मृत्युदंड या आजीवन कारावास या सात वर्ष से अधिक की अवधि के कारावास का दंड प्रदान नहीं किया गया है, और धारा 223 के तहत परिवादी और साक्षियों की परीक्षा करने के बाद, धारा 227 के तहत आदेशिका (process) जारी की है,
लेकिन वहां लागू नहीं होता जहां ऐसा अपराध देश की सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति को प्रभावित करता है या किसी महिला या बच्चे के खिलाफ किया गया है।
(2) उप-धारा (1) के उद्देश्यों के लिए, केंद्र सरकार, अधिसूचना द्वारा, उन अपराधों को निर्धारित करेगी जो देश की सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति को प्रभावित करने वाले अपराध होंगे।