CRPC My Notes
CRPC My Notes
Can be registered and investigated by the Requires a warrant from the court to be
police without a warrant registered and investigated
Police have the power of arrest without a Police cannot arrest without a warrant; a court's
warrant permission is required
The investigation procedure for cognizable The investigation procedure for non-cognizable
offences is outlined in Section 156 of the offences is outlined in Section 155 of the CrPC.
CrPC.
Court's permission is not required for Court's permission is necessary for investigation
investigation or arrest and arrest
Punishments for cognizable offences typically Punishments for non-cognizable offences are
exceed three years and may include life usually less than three years.
imprisonment or the death penalty.
No provision for compromise between parties Parties involved can settle the matter through
involved compromise
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Bailable Offense
➔ A bailable offence is one where the accused has the right to be released on bail. The granting
of bail for such offences is usually a matter of right and not discretion.
➔ As per Section 2(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973
◆ Examples: Offences like simple assault, defamation, public nuisance, and other minor
offences are typically categorised as bailable.
Non-Bailable Offence
➔ A non-bailable offence is one where bail is not a matter of right and is subject to the
discretion of the court. The seriousness of the offence and other factors are considered
before granting bail.
➔ As per Section 2(a) of the CrPC, 1973, a non-bailable offence is one that is not classified as
bailable.
◆ Examples: Offenses like murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and other serious crimes
are categorized as non-bailable.
➢ An individual who anticipates arrest can apply for anticipatory bail before the High Court or
the Court of Session. (must state the reasons)
➢ The applicant does not misuse the liberty granted.
➢ Common conditions include:
■ The applicant must cooperate with the investigation.
■ The applicant should not leave the country without the court’s permission.
➢ Factors Considered by the Court:
○ The nature and gravity of the accusation.
○ The applicant’s antecedents, such as whether they have previously been convicted of
any offence.
○ The possibility of the applicant fleeing from justice.
○ The likelihood of the applicant tampering with evidence
➢ The court may specify the duration for which the anticipatory bail will be effective.
➢ Anticipatory bail is not a matter of right and is granted at the discretion of the court
○ It is typically sought for non-bailable offenses, where the standard bail provisions do
not apply.
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Autrefois Acquit:
● When a person is tried for an offense of which they have previously been acquitted
(found not guilty) by a court. It prevents the person from being tried again for the
same offense based on the same facts.
○ The rationale behind this principle is to protect individuals from being
subjected to multiple prosecutions for the same alleged conduct, once they
have been acquitted.
Autrefois Convict:
● When a person is tried for an offence for which they have previously been convicted
(found guilty) by a court. It prevents the person from being tried again for the same
offence based on the same facts.
○ It aims to prevent double jeopardy and protect individuals from facing
repeated prosecutions for the same offence.
CHARGE
JOINDER OF CHARGES
Section 218-224
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Summons :
➔ Document issued by a court - Calls upon a person to come before a judge - To show a
certain document.
➔ clearly state the court’s name, the location, date and time when the summoned person needs
to appear.
➔ if the accused pleads ‘not guilty - The accused can’t be acquitted without examining the
prosecution’s witnesses - Upon request by either party, the magistrate should summon
witnesses - because the magistrate is obligated to examine all witnesses presented by both
sides - Failure to do so would make the criminal trial incorrect under Section 465 (Big
procedural errors during trial have caused a failure in Justice)
Warrants :
➔ official order that directs a specific person to apprehend a suspect and bring them to court
for legal proceedings.
➔ The warrant must have the court’s official seal and be signed by a presiding court officer. It
remains valid until the same court that issued it cancels it.
➔ When a person is arrested, they should be informed of the reason for their arrest and if
necessary, the warrant can be shown to them.
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Bail Provisions the accused often has the Courts may be more cautious
opportunity to seek bail easily when granting bail to accused
individuals facing warrant
cases, especially if they are
charged with heinous crimes.
Appeal Process The appeal process may be the appeal process may be
relatively straightforward and more protracted and involve
handled at lower judicial levels. higher courts due to the
seriousness of the charges.
PUBLIC PROSECUTORS
Public prosecutors have to be independent of the executive and from all external influences like the
police and investigation process.
➔ The prosecutor has a duty to the State and the victims, to the accused and to the court.
➔ He is the minister of justice as he is present before the courts to formulate cases for the
State and help them in assisting the State in the administration of justice.
➔ For every High Court, the Central Government or the State Government shall, after
consultation with the High Court, appoint a Public Prosecutor
➔ For every district, the State Government shall appoint a Public Prosecutor (s 24(c))
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➢ Acquittal refers to the legal judgement that an accused is not guilty of the charges against
them after a full trial has been conducted.
➢ Acquittal occurs after the trial, once the court has examined all the evidence and heard the
arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
➢ Example: After a full trial where all the evidence is examined, if the judge or jury finds that
the prosecution has not proven the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the accused
will be acquitted.
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➢ Section 145 of CrPC: Dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace
○ The Magistrate issues a notice requiring them to attend a hearing and present their
claims.
○ The Magistrate can issue an interim order to maintain peace and prevent any party
from entering the property
➢ Section 146 of CrPC: Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver
○ If the Magistrate is unable to decide who was in possession or if the possession is
unclear
○ He appoints a receiver and the receiver has the authority to take control of the
property, manage it, and collect rents and profits until the dispute is resolved.
➢ Section 147 of CrPC: Dispute concerning right of use of land or water
○ If there is a dispute concerning the right of use of land or water (e.g., right of way,
right to irrigation), the Magistrate can initiate proceedings to address the dispute.
The orders passed by the Magistrate under these sections are temporary measures to
maintain peace until the civil courts can adjudicate the actual rights of the parties involved.
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Plea Bargaining
➔ It is a legal process in which the accused and the prosecution negotiate a mutually
acceptable agreement, where the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in
exchange for some concession from the prosecutor.
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➔ Section 265A :
◆ Applies where the maximum punishment is imprisonment for seven years.
◆ Does not apply to offences affecting the socio-economic conditions of the country
◆ Does Not apply on offences against a woman or a child below the age of 14 years.
➔ The court will examine the accused in camera to ensure that the application is made
voluntarily and without any coercion.
➔ The court will facilitate a meeting between the accused, the victim
➔ The judgement delivered under plea bargaining is final and cannot be appealed, except by
way of a special leave petition under Article 136
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A police officer must have reasonable grounds to believe that anything necessary for the
investigation, inquiry, trial, or other proceeding under the CrPC may be found in a place.
➔ The police officer must also believe that the object of the search cannot be
otherwise obtained without undue delay.
➔ The search must be conducted in the presence of two or more respectable
inhabitants of the locality where the search is being conducted.
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➔ Preparation of Search Memo: A list of all things seized during the search must be
prepared. A copy of the list must be delivered to the owner or occupant of the place
searched or to a person on their behalf.
➔ Example: A police officer receives credible information that illegal firearms are being
stored in a house. The officer believes that obtaining a warrant would cause undue
delay and the firearms might be moved.
Trial Proceedings
➔ It involves specific legal procedures designed to protect the rights of both the
accused and the state
◆ Charge Framing
◆ Examination of Witnesses
◆ Arguments and Defense
◆ Judgment
◆ Verdict
◆ Appeals
➢ The accomplice must request a pardon from the court voluntarily and truthfully
disclose all facts known to them about the offence.
➢ The court, after considering the request and the nature of the offence, may tender a
pardon to the accomplice.
➢ If the pardon is accepted by the accomplice, they are granted immunity from
prosecution for the offence they disclosed.
○ Statements made by an accomplice who has accepted a pardon are
admissible as evidence against other accused persons in the same offence.
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Admissions
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Confessions
SUMMARY TRIALS
➢ Summary trials are typically reserved for less serious offenses (maximum
punishment is not exceeding two years)
○ These offences are usually categorised as minor or petty offenses.
➢ The procedure in a summary trial is less formal, fewer formalities.
➢ It is conducted by Judicial Magistrates or Executive Magistrates
➢ The rules of evidence are less strict in summary trials.
○ The essence of a fair trial is maintained despite the expedited process.
➢ The decision in a summary trial can generally be appealed to a higher court
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Compounding Offence:
● The complainant or the victim can agree to have the charges dropped against the
accused, usually in exchange for some form of compensation or settlement.
● Minor assaults, defamation, and certain property disputes can be compoundable in
some jurisdictions.
Non-Compounding Offence:
● Here the charges cannot be dropped or settled between the complainant and the
accused. These offences are considered more severe and against public interest,
meaning the state prosecutes the offender irrespective of the victim's wishes.
● Examples: Murder, rape, kidnapping, and serious financial crimes are typically
non-compounding offenses.
Key Differences:
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➢ Framing of Charges : The Sessions Court examines the charges based on the
evidence and documents submitted during the investigation.
➢ Prosecution Evidence
● Examination-in-Chief: The prosecution presents its case by examining
witnesses and presenting evidence to prove the charges against the accused.
● Cross-Examination: The defence lawyer cross-examines each prosecution
witness to test the credibility and reliability of their testimony.
● Re-Examination: The prosecution may re-examine its witnesses if needed to
clarify any points raised during cross-examination.
➢ Defence Evidence
○ Optional Examination-in-Chief: The defence has the option to present its
evidence and call witnesses to support the accused's defence.
○ Cross-Examination by Prosecution: The prosecution cross-examines defence
witnesses to challenge their testimony.
○ Re-Examination by Defense: The defence may re-examine its witnesses if
necessary.
➢ Arguments (Oral arguments to summarise their respective cases and interpretations
of the evidence)
➢ Judgement (judge pronounces the judgement, either convicting or acquitting the
accused
➢ Sentencing
○ If the accused is convicted, a sentencing hearing is conducted where the
prosecution and defence may present arguments regarding the appropriate
punishment.
○ The Sessions Court judge mitigating/aggravating factors presented during
the trial.
Arrest of Person
➢ Arrest by police :
○ Sec 41(1) police can arrest without order of magistrate -cognizable offence
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○ Reason for such arrest = prevent further offence, evidence of the offence
disappears.
● Kastur Lal vs State of UP : Arrest a person - possession of stolen
articles.
○ Notice for appearance : Police issue notices to appear before them. After
coming - police can either arrest them by recording reasons or leave them
○ Arrest of Judicial officers
● Delhi Judicial Service association vs St of Gujarat : 5 police
officers jailed for Handcuffing a CJM. No handcuffing(only if he
behaves violently)
○ Arrest Of Legislative members(RS,LS, LA) : Obtaining consent of the Speaker.
Case Questions
1. A, B and C are charged by a Magistrate of first class and convicted by him for robbing D.
A, B and C were afterwards charged with and tried for offence of dacoity on the same facts.
They oppose subsequent trial. Will they succeed?
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➢ Section 181 CrPC: local jurisdiction the person charged with the offence was
apprehended or is in custody.
➢ Yes, 'A' can be tried for the offense of belonging to a gang of dacoits in the
Kozhikode Court.
4. Mr. X committed an offence under Sec. 358 of IPC. The Judicial First Class Magistrate
imposed a fine of Rs. 100 as punishment. Can Mr. X prefer an appeal against this
punishment?
➢ Section 358 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with "Assault or criminal force to
deter public servant from discharge of his duty".
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➢ Any person who has been convicted by a Magistrate of the first class in a summary
trial (not exceeding three months or Rs. 1,000) has the right to appeal against the
conviction or sentence.
➢ The appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date of the judgment or order
appealed against.
➢ Once an appeal is filed, the higher court (Sessions Court or Chief Judicial
Magistrate’s Court) will review the case.
5. Mr. Ramanan, aged 60 years, intends to claim maintenance from his married daughter,
Sheela. Advise him.
6. Magistrate of first class issues a search warrant to trace a document in the custody of
the postal authority. Examine the validity of the warrant.
7. The State through a revision petition approaches the High Court for a re-trial in a case
where the accused was acquitted. Examine the grounds on which a retrial could be
ordered.
8. X is tried summarily by a magistrate under Section 260 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The magistrate passes imprisonment for a period of two years. X wants to question the
legality of the sentence. Advise X.
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➢ Section 260 allows for summary trials (not exceeding two years,
➢ Section 262 allows for Appeal in summary trials.
PRIVATE COMPLAINT
COMPOUNDING OFFENCE
REVISION REFERENCE
COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
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