CHAPTER XXV
ATTENDANCE OF PERSONS CONFINED OR DETAINED IN PRISONS
Section 301 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Definitions
In this Chapter,—
(a) "detained" includes detained under any law providing for preventive
detention;
(b) "prison" includes,—
(i) any place which has been declared by the State Government, by general or special order, to be a subsidiary jail;
(ii) any reformatory, Borstal institution or institution of a like nature.
Section 302 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Power to require attendance of prisoners.
(1) Whenever, in the course of an inquiry, trial or proceeding under this Sanhita,
it appears to a Criminal Court,—
(a) that a person confined or detained in a prison should be brought before the Court for answering to a charge of an offence, or for the purpose of any proceedings against him; or
(b) that it is necessary for the ends of justice to examine such person as a witness,
the Court may make an order requiring the officer in charge of the prison to produce such person before the Court answering to the charge or for the purpose of such proceeding or for giving evidence.
(2) Where an order under sub-section (1) is made by a Magistrate of the second class, it shall not be forwarded to, or acted upon by, the officer in charge of the prison unless it is countersigned by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, to whom such Magistrate is subordinate.
(3) Every order submitted for countersigning under sub-section (2) shall be accompanied by a statement of the facts which, in the opinion of the Magistrate, render the order necessary, and the Chief Judicial Magistrate to whom it is submitted may, after considering such statement, decline to countersign the order.
Section 303 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Power of State Government or Central Government to exclude certain persons from operation of section 302.
The State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be, may, at any time, having regard to the matters specified in sub-section (2), by general or special order, direct that any person or class of persons shall not be removed from the prison in which he or they may be confined or detained, and thereupon, so long as the order remains in force, no order made under section 302, whether before or after the order of the State Government or the Central Government, shall have effect in respect of such person or class of persons.
(2) Before making an order under sub-section (1), the State Government or the Central Government in the cases instituted by its central agency, as the case may be, shall have regard to the following matters, namely:—
(a) the nature of the offence for which, or the grounds on which, the person or class of persons has been ordered to be confined or detained in prison;
(b) the likelihood of the disturbance of public order if the person or class of persons is allowed to be removed from the prison;
(c) the public interest, generally.
Section 304 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bare Act:
Officer in charge of prison to abstain from carrying out order in certain contingencies.
Where the person in respect of whom an order is made under section 302—
(a) is by reason of sickness or infirmity unfit to be removed from the prison; or
(b) is under committal for trial or under remand pending trial or pending a preliminary investigation; or
(c) is in custody for a period which would expire before the expiration of the time required for complying with the order and for taking him back to the prison in which he is confined or detained; or
(d) is a person to whom an order made by the State Government or the Central Government under section 303 applies,
the officer in charge of the prison shall abstain from carrying out the Court's order and shall send to the Court a statement of reasons for so abstaining:
Provided that where the attendance of such person is required for giving evidence at a place not more than twenty-five kilometres distance from the prison, the officer in charge of the prison shall not so abstain for the reason mentioned in clause (b).
Section 305 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Prisoner to be brought to Court in custody.
Subject to the provisions of section 304, the officer in charge of the prison shall, upon delivery of an order made under sub-section (1) of section 302 and duly countersigned, where necessary, under sub-section (2) thereof, cause the person named in the order to be taken to the Court in which his attendance is required, so as to be present there at the time mentioned in the order, and shall cause him to be kept in custody in or near the Court until he has been examined or until the Court authorises him to be taken back to the prison in which he was confined or detained.
Section 306 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Power to issue commission for examination of witness in prison.
The provisions of this Chapter shall be without prejudice to the power of the Court to issue, under section 319, a commission for the examination, as a witness, of any person confined or detained in a prison; and the provisions of Part B of Chapter XXVI shall apply in relation to the examination on commission of any such person in the prison as they apply in relation to the examination on commission of any other person.
CHAPTER XXVI EVIDENCE IN INQUIRIES AND TRIALS
A.—Mode of taking and recording evidence
Section 307 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Language of Courts.
The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of this Sanhita,
the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court.
Section 308 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Evidence to be taken in presence of accused.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, all evidence taken in the course of the trial or other proceeding shall be taken in the presence of the accused, or, when his personal attendance is dispensed with, in the presence of his advocate including through audio-video electronic means at the designated place to be notified by the State Government:
Provided that where the evidence of a woman below the age of eighteen years who is alleged to have been subjected to rape or any other sexual offence, is to be recorded, the court may take appropriate measures to ensure that such woman is not confronted by the accused while at the same time ensuring the right of cross-examination of the accused.
Explanation.—In this section, "accused" includes a person in relation to whom any proceeding under Chapter IX has been commenced under this Sanhita.
Section 309 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Record in summons-cases and inquiries.
(1) In all summons-cases tried before a Magistrate, in all inquiries under sections 164 to 167 (both inclusive), and in all proceedings under section 491 otherwise than in the course of a trial, the Magistrate shall, as the examination of each witness proceeds, make a memorandum of the substance of the evidence in the language of the Court:
Provided that if the Magistrate is unable to make such memorandum himself, he shall, after recording the reason of his inability, cause such memorandum to be made in writing or from his dictation in open Court.
(2) Such memorandum shall be signed by the Magistrate and shall form part of the record.
Section 310 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Record in warrant-cases.
(1) In all warrant-cases tried before a Magistrate, the evidence of each witness shall, as his examination proceeds, be taken down in writing either by the Magistrate himself or by his dictation in open Court 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:
Provided that evidence of a witness under this sub-section may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means in the presence of the advocate of the person accused of the offence.
(2) Where the Magistrate causes the evidence to be taken down, he shall record a certificate that the evidence could not be taken down by himself for the reasons referred to
in sub-section (1).
(3) Such evidence shall ordinarily be taken down in the form of a narrative; but the Magistrate may, in his discretion take down, or cause to be taken down, any part of such evidence in the form of question and answer.
(4) The evidence so taken down shall be signed by the Magistrate and shall form part of the record.
Section 311 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Record in trial before Court of Session.
(1) In all trials before a Court of Session, the evidence of each witness shall, as his examination proceeds, be taken down in writing either by the presiding Judge himself or by his dictation in open Court, or under his direction and superintendence, by an officer of the Court appointed by him in this behalf.
(2) Such evidence shall ordinarily be taken down in the form of a narrative, but the presiding Judge may, in his discretion, take down, or cause to be taken down, any part of such evidence in the form of question and answer.
(3) The evidence so taken down shall be signed by the presiding Judge and shall form 30 part of the record.
Section 312 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Language of record of evidence.
In every case where evidence is taken down under sections 310 or 311,—
(a) if the witness gives evidence in the language of the Court, it shall be taken
down in that language;
(b) if he gives evidence in any other language, it may, if practicable, be taken 35 down in that language, and if it is not practicable to do so, a true translation of the evidence in the language of the Court shall be prepared as the examination of the witness proceeds, signed by the Magistrate or presiding Judge, and shall form part of the record;
(c) where under clause (b) evidence is taken down in a language other than the 40 language of the Court, a true translation thereof in the language of the Court shall be prepared as soon as practicable, signed by the Magistrate or presiding Judge, and shall form part of the record:
Provided that when under clause (b) evidence is taken down in English and a translation thereof in the language of the Court is not required by any of the parties, the Court may dispense with such translation.
Section 313 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Procedure in regard to such evidence when completed.
(1) As the evidence of each witness taken under section 310 or section 311 is completed, it shall be read over to him in the presence of the accused, if in attendance, or of his advocate, if he appears by an advocate, and shall, if necessary, be corrected.
(2) If the witness denies the correctness of any part of the evidence when the same is read over to him, the Magistrate or presiding Judge may, instead of correcting the evidence, make a memorandum thereon of the objection made to it by the witness and shall add such remarks as he thinks necessary.
(3) If the record of the evidence is in a language different from that in which it has been given and the witness does not understand that language, the record shall be interpreted
to him in the language in which it was given, or in a language which he understands.
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Section 314 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Interpretation of evidence to accused or his advocate.
(1) Whenever any evidence is given in a language not understood by the accused, and he is present in Court in person, it shall be interpreted to him in open Court in a language understood by him.
(2) If he appears by an advocate and the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to such advocate in that language.
(3) When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much thereof as appears necessary.
Section 315 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Remarks respecting demeanour of witness.
When a presiding Judge or Magistrate has recorded the evidence of a witness, he shall also record such remarks (if any) as he thinks material respecting the demeanour of such witness whilst under examination.
Section 316 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Record of examination of accused.
(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 35 person in the course of a summary trial.
Section 317 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Interpreter to be bound to interpret truthfully.
When the services of an interpreter are required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or statement, he shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence or statement.
Section 318 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Record in High Court.
Every High Court may, by general rule, prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it, and such evidence and examination shall be taken down in accordance with such rule.
B.—Commissions for the examination of witnesses
Section 319 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
When attendance of witness may be dispensed with and commission issued.
(1) Whenever, in the course of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita, it appears to a Court or Magistrate that the examination of a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, and that the attendance of such witness cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience which, under the circumstances of the case,
would be unreasonable, the Court or Magistrate may dispense with such attendance and may issue a commission for the examination of the witness in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter:
Provided that where the examination of the President or the Vice-President of India or the Governor of a State or the Administrator of a Union territory as a witness is necessary for the ends of Justice, a commission shall be issued for the examination of such a witness.
(2) The Court may, when issuing a commission for the examination of a witness for the prosecution, direct that such amount as the Court considers reasonable to meet the expenses of the accused, including the pleader's fees, be paid by the prosecution.
Section 320 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Commission to whom to be issued.
(1) If the witness is within the territories to which this Sanhita extends, the commission shall be directed to the Chief Judicial Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction the witness is to be found.
(2) If the witness is in India, but in a State or an area to which this Sanhita does not extend, the commission shall be directed to such Court or officer as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.
(3) If the witness is in a country or place outside India and arrangements have been made by the Central Government with the Government of such country or place for taking the evidence of witnesses in relation to criminal matters, the commission shall be issued in such form, directed to such Court or officer, and sent to such authority for transmission as the Central Government may, by notification, prescribed in this behalf.
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Section 321 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Execution of commissions.
Upon receipt of the commission, the Chief Judicial Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate as he may appoint in this behalf, shall summon the witness before him or proceed to the place where the witness is, and shall take down his evidence in the same manner, and may for this purpose exercise the same powers, as in trials or warrant-cases under this Sanhita.
Section 322 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Parties may examine witnesses.
(1) The parties to any proceeding under this Sanhita in which a commission is issued may respectively forward any interrogatories in writing which the Court or Magistrate directing the commission may think relevant to the issue, and it shall be lawful for the Magistrate, Court or officer to whom the commission, is directed, or to whom the duty of executing it is delegated, to examine the witness upon such interrogatories.
(2) Any such party may appear before such magistrate, Court or Officer by pleader, or if not in custody, in person, and may examine, cross-examine and re-examine the said witness.
Section 323 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Return of commission.
(1) After any commission issued under section 319 has been duly executed, it shall be returned, together with the deposition of the witness examined thereunder, to the Court or Magistrate issuing the commission; and the commission, the return thereto and the deposition shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection of the parties, and may, subject to all just exceptions, be read in evidence in the case by either party, and shall form part of the record.
(2) Any deposition so taken, if it satisfies the conditions specified by section 27 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, may also be received in evidence at any subsequent stage of the case before another Court.
Section 324 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Adjournment of proceeding.
In every case in which a commission is issued under section 319, the inquiry, trial or other proceeding may be adjourned for a specified time reasonably sufficient for the execution and return of the commission.
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Links to important chapters of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):
Section 30 to Section 40 of BNSS (Provisions relating to Arrest starting from Section 35):
Section 144-163 (Section 144,145,146 and 147 relate maintenance proceedings):
Section 173-Section 187 (including section 173 relating to FIR):
Section 188 to Section 209 (including section 193 relating to chargesheet/police report):
Section 210 to Section 222 (including provisions relating to cognizance):
Section 473 to Section 492) (Including Section 480, Section 481, Section 482, Section 483, Section 484, Section 485 that is, provisions relating to bail):
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