Section 198 BNSS: Place of inquiry or trial

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 198 BNSS at a Glance

Section 198 BNSS deals with place of inquiry or trial. It replaced Section 178 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 178 →

Section 198 BNSS Bare Act Text

198. Place of inquiry or trial

(a) When it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed; or

(b) where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another; or

(c) where an offence is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one; or

(d) where it consists of several acts done in different local areas, it may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Source: Section 198, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 198 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 198 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the place of inquiry or trial. In each of the cases below, the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court that has jurisdiction over any one of the local areas concerned.

The first case is where it is uncertain in which of several local areas the offence was committed. The second case is where the offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another.

The third case is where the offence is a continuing one and continues to be committed in more than one local area. The fourth case is where the offence consists of several acts done in different local areas.

When Section 198 BNSS Applies

  • Section 198(a) BNSS applies when it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed.
  • Section 198(b) BNSS applies where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another.
  • Section 198(c) BNSS applies where an offence is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one.
  • Section 198(d) BNSS applies where an offence consists of several acts done in different local areas.
  • In each of these cases the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Example of Section 198 BNSS

It is uncertain whether an offence alleged against Rahul was committed in the local area of Surat or in the local area of Vadodara. Under Section 198(a) BNSS the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over Surat or by a Court having jurisdiction over Vadodara.

When Section 198 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 198 BNSS speaks of an offence whose place is uncertain, or which is committed in more than one local area. It does not deal with an offence committed within a known local area, which Section 197 BNSS deals with.
  • Section 198 BNSS speaks of a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas. It does not deal with the question that arises when Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and ask which of them ought to inquire into or try it, which Section 206 BNSS deals with.

Section 198 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 198 BNSS replaces Section 178 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 178 CrPC is found in Section 198 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Both have the same heading and the same words. Section 198 BNSS ends each clause before the last with a semicolon where Section 178 CrPC ends each of them with a comma.

View CrPC Section 178 →

FAQs on Section 198 BNSS

When may an offence be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of several local areas under Section 198 BNSS?▼

When it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed, where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another, where an offence is a continuing one and continues to be committed in more local areas than one, or where it consists of several acts done in different local areas.

Which Court may inquire into or try the offence under Section 198 BNSS?▼

A Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Does Section 198 BNSS cover a continuing offence?▼

Yes. Section 198(c) BNSS speaks of an offence that is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one.

What changed from Section 178 CrPC to Section 198 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 198 BNSS has the same heading as Section 178 CrPC and the same words. Section 198 BNSS ends each clause before the last with a semicolon where Section 178 CrPC ends each of them with a comma. The text has no cross-reference to another section.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·