CrPC 277→BNSS 312

CrPC 277 to BNSS 312: Language of record of evidence

Section 277 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 312 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 277 →View BNSS Section 312 →

CrPC 277 to BNSS 312 at a Glance

Section 277 CrPC (Language of record of evidence) is now Section 312 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 277 to BNSS 312?

From 1 July 2024, Section 312 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 277 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same. Section 312 BNSS refers to Section 310 BNSS and Section 311 BNSS where Section 277 CrPC referred to Section 275 CrPC and Section 276 CrPC. The rest of the text is the same.

CrPC 277 vs BNSS 312: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section277312
HeadingLanguage of record of evidenceSame
Cross-referencess.275, s.276s.310, s.311

CrPC 277 and BNSS 312: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 277, CrPC 1973

277. Language of record of evidence.—In every case where evidence is taken down under section 275 or 276,— (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 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 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.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 312, BNSS 2023

312. Language of record of evidence.—In every case where evidence is taken down under section 310 or section 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 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 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.

When It Applies: CrPC 277 vs BNSS 312

Under CrPC 277
  1. Section 277 CrPC applies in every case where evidence is taken down under Section 275 CrPC or Section 276 CrPC.
  2. If the witness gives evidence in the language of the Court, it shall be taken down in that language.
  3. If the witness gives evidence in any other language, it may, if practicable, be taken down in that language.
  4. If it is not practicable to take down the evidence in that language, 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.
  5. Where evidence is taken down under Section 277(b) CrPC in a language other than the language of the Court, a true translation 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.
  6. When evidence is taken down in English under Section 277(b) CrPC and a translation in the language of the Court is not required by any of the parties, the Court may dispense with such translation.
Under BNSS 312
  1. Section 312 BNSS applies in every case where evidence is taken down under Section 310 BNSS or Section 311 BNSS.
  2. If the witness gives evidence in the language of the Court, it shall be taken down in that language.
  3. If the witness gives evidence in any other language, it may, if practicable, be taken down in that language.
  4. If it is not practicable to take down the evidence in that language, 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.
  5. Where evidence is taken down under Section 312(b) BNSS in a language other than the language of the Court, a true translation 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.
  6. When evidence is taken down in English under Section 312(b) BNSS and a translation in the language of the Court is not required by any of the parties, the Court may dispense with such translation.

Time Limits: CrPC 277 to BNSS 312

Under CrPC 277
  • Where it is not practicable to take down the evidence in the language the witness gives it in, the true translation in the language of the Court shall be prepared as the examination of the witness proceeds.Act text: “shall be prepared as the examination of the witness proceeds”
  • Where evidence is taken down in a language other than the language of the Court, the true translation in the language of the Court shall be prepared as soon as practicable.Act text: “shall be prepared as soon as practicable”
Under BNSS 312
  • Where it is not practicable to take down the evidence in the language the witness gives it in, the true translation in the language of the Court shall be prepared as the examination of the witness proceeds.Act text: “shall be prepared as the examination of the witness proceeds”
  • Where evidence is taken down in a language other than the language of the Court, the true translation in the language of the Court shall be prepared as soon as practicable.Act text: “shall be prepared as soon as practicable”

What CrPC 277 to BNSS 312 Means in Practice

Under Section 312 BNSS, in every case where evidence is taken down under Section 310 BNSS or Section 311 BNSS, evidence given by a witness in the language of the Court shall be taken down in that language. Section 277 CrPC named Section 275 CrPC and Section 276 CrPC.

FAQs: CrPC 277 to BNSS 312

Which BNSS section replaced Section 277 CrPC from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 312 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 277 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The heading is the same: language of record of evidence.

Which cross-references differ between Section 277 CrPC and Section 312 BNSS?▼

Section 312 BNSS refers to Section 310 BNSS and Section 311 BNSS where Section 277 CrPC referred to Section 275 CrPC and Section 276 CrPC.

Is the rest of the text of Section 277 CrPC different in Section 312 BNSS?▼

No. Apart from the cross-references to Section 310 BNSS and Section 311 BNSS, Section 312 BNSS has the same text as Section 277 CrPC, including the proviso.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 22 Oct 2026 ·