{"id":8828,"date":"2025-09-17T13:52:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T13:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T07:49:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T07:49:58","slug":"charges-under-bnss2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Charge Under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><a href=\"\/legal\/article-17198-default-bail-under-bharatiya-nagarik-suraksha-sanhita-bnss-2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNSS &#8211; The Charge<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meaning\"><\/span>Meaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Section 2(1)(f) of BNSS defines <strong>charge<\/strong> as it includes any head of charge when the charge contains more heads than one. It is the formal expression of Court, allegation against the accused. It is a formal recognition of a court accusation by the magistrate or a court based upon a complaint or information against the accused person.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#BNSS_-_The_Charge\" >BNSS - The Charge<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Meaning\" >Meaning<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Purpose\" >Purpose<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Content_of_Charge_Sections_234_to_237\" >Content of Charge (Sections 234 to 237)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_234_-_Content_of_Charge\" >Section 234 - Content of Charge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_235_-_Particulars_as_to_Time_Place_and_Person\" >Section 235 - Particulars as to Time, Place, and Person<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_236_-_Manner_of_Committing_Offence\" >Section 236 - Manner of Committing Offence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_237_-_Words_in_Charge\" >Section 237 - Words in Charge<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Joinder_of_Charge_Sections_241_to_244_246\" >Joinder of Charge (Sections 241 to 244 &amp; 246)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_241_-_Separate_Charge_for_Different_Offences\" >Section 241 - Separate Charge for Different Offences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_242_-_Same_Kind_of_Offence_within_One_Year\" >Section 242 - Same Kind of Offence within One Year<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_243_-_Trial_for_More_than_One_Offence\" >Section 243 - Trial for More than One Offence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_244_-_Doubtful_Offence\" >Section 244 - Doubtful Offence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_246_-_Persons_Charged_Jointly\" >Section 246 - Persons Charged Jointly<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Major_or_Minor_Charges_Section_245\" >Major or Minor Charges (Section 245)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Alteration_in_Charges_Sections_239_240\" >Alteration in Charges (Sections 239 &amp; 240)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_239_-_Alteration_of_Charges\" >Section 239 - Alteration of Charges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Section_240_-_Recall_of_Witness\" >Section 240 - Recall of Witness<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Effect_of_Error_Section_238\" >Effect of Error (Section 238)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/charges-under-bnss2023\/#Withdrawal_of_Charge_Section_247\" >Withdrawal of Charge (Section 247)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Chapter XVIII of BNSS deals with <strong>\u201cTHE CHARGE\u201d<\/strong>, which contains Section 234 to 247 of BNSS.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Purpose\"><\/span>Purpose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The main purpose for framing a charge is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To inform the accused and victim.<\/li>\n<li>To inform the accused so that he\/she can prepare his\/her defense.<\/li>\n<li>To ensure a fair trial.<\/li>\n<li>To govern laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the case of <em>V.C. Shukla v. State<\/em>, the Supreme Court held that the purpose behind framing a charge is to be clear and unambiguous.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Content_of_Charge_Sections_234_to_237\"><\/span>Content of Charge (<a href=\"\/legal\/article-6338-the-provision-regarding-trial-before-session-court.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sections 234 to 237<\/a>)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Section 234 &#8211; Content of Charge<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The charge shall state the offence in which the accused is charged.<\/li>\n<li>If the specific name of the offence is given, it may be described in the charge by name only.<\/li>\n<li>If no specific name is given, all essentials or the definition of such offence should be mentioned.<\/li>\n<li>Laws or sections related to the offence shall be mentioned in the charge.<\/li>\n<li>The facts of the charge equal the statement of every legal condition.<\/li>\n<li>The charge must be written in the language of the court.<\/li>\n<li>If the accused has been convicted previously, such fact, date, and place of the previous offence shall be stated in the charge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Section 235 &#8211; Particulars as to Time, Place, and Person<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>The charge shall include:\n<ul>\n<li>Time<\/li>\n<li>Place<\/li>\n<li>Person against whom it was constituted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>If accused of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of money or movable property, the gross sum may be mentioned without specifying particular items or exact dates.<br \/>Provided that the date should be mentioned as between first and last dates, not exceeding one year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> In A\u2019s warehouse, B was a servant transporting rice. For five months, he frequently kept half of it. The charge mentioned that B cheated for the last five months.<\/p>\n<h3>Section 236 &#8211; Manner of Committing Offence<\/h3>\n<p>All the essentials of such offence must be mentioned.<\/p>\n<h3>Section 237 &#8211; Words in Charge<\/h3>\n<p>Interpretation of charge words is based on the law under which the offence is punishable.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Joinder_of_Charge_Sections_241_to_244_246\"><\/span>Joinder of Charge (Sections 241 to 244 &amp; 246)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the case of <em>K. Satwant Singh v. State of Punjab<\/em>, the Court held that joinder of charges is not compulsory; it only permits the joint trial of charges under certain circumstances in the interest of justice.<\/p>\n<h3>Section 241 &#8211; Separate Charge for Different Offences<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Every different offence shall have a separate charge and trial separately, unless the Magistrate permits joint trial upon application by the accused.<\/li>\n<li>This section is subject to Sections 242 to 244 &amp; 246 of BNSS.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Section 242 &#8211; Same Kind of Offence within One Year<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>When an accused person is charged with:\n<ul>\n<li>More than one offence of the same kind,<\/li>\n<li>Committed within one year,<\/li>\n<li>Not exceeding five in number,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>they may be tried jointly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>Same kind offences are those punishable with the same punishment under BNSS, 2023 or any special\/local law.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Section 243 &#8211; Trial for More than One Offence<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>If several offences are committed in the same transaction, they may be tried jointly.<\/li>\n<li>Includes offences of criminal breach of trust or misappropriation of property.<\/li>\n<li>When an offence falls under two or more separate definitions of law.<\/li>\n<li>If several acts together constitute a different offence, they may be tried jointly.<\/li>\n<li>Subject to Section 9 of BNSS.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> A kidnaps B, then commits rape and murder. Distinct offences, but part of the same transaction, hence tried jointly.<\/p>\n<h3>Section 244 &#8211; Doubtful Offence<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>If a single act or series of acts makes it doubtful what offence is constituted, they may be charged and tried jointly.<\/li>\n<li>If evidence shows a different offence, it may also be tried jointly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Section 246 &#8211; Persons Charged Jointly<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Persons committing the same offence in the same transaction.<\/li>\n<li>Abetment or attempt to commit such offence.<\/li>\n<li>More than one offence of the same kind committed jointly within one year.<\/li>\n<li>Distinct offences but committed in the same transaction.<\/li>\n<li>Offences like theft, extortion, cheating, misappropriation, concealment of property.<\/li>\n<li>Offences under Section 317(2) &amp; (5) of BNSS relating to stolen property.<\/li>\n<li>Offences under Chapter X of BNSS relating to counterfeit coin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Provided that \u2013 on application by the accused, the magistrate may direct a joint trial.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_or_Minor_Charges_Section_245\"><\/span>Major or Minor Charges (Section 245)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If a person is charged with an offence comprising several particulars, but only some particulars prove a minor offence, then conviction may be for the minor offence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> If charged with a grievous offence but proven to be a minor offence, conviction is for the minor one.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alteration_in_Charges_Sections_239_240\"><\/span>Alteration in Charges (Sections 239 &amp; 240)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Section 239 &#8211; Alteration of Charges<\/h3>\n<p>The court may alter or add any charge before judgment. Every alteration must be explained to the accused so that defense can be prepared.<\/p>\n<h3>Section 240 &#8211; Recall of Witness<\/h3>\n<p>Upon alteration, the court may recall or summon witnesses if necessary to prevent vexation, delay, or injustice. The court may also call new witnesses.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Effect_of_Error_Section_238\"><\/span>Effect of Error (Section 238)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Any error in stating the offence or particulars in the charge will not be material unless it misleads the accused and causes failure of justice.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Withdrawal_of_Charge_Section_247\"><\/span>Withdrawal of Charge (Section 247)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Either the complainant or the prosecution officer, with the consent of the court, may withdraw charges when the accused faces more than one charge.<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Award-Winning Article Written By: Ms.Ayushi Dewangan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/images\/ae-1.png\" alt=\"Certificate of Excellence awarded by Legal Service India\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Authentication No: OT391580464801-31-1025<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BNSS &#8211; The Charge Meaning Section 2(1)(f) of BNSS defines charge as it includes any head of charge when the charge contains more heads than one. It is the formal expression of Court, allegation against the accused. It is a formal recognition of a court accusation by the magistrate or a court based upon a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":237,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[28],"class_list":{"0":"post-8828","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-criminal-law","7":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/237"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8828\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}