Section 204 BNSS: Place of trial for offences triable together

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 204 BNSS at a Glance

Section 204 BNSS deals with place of trial for offences triable together. It replaced Section 184 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 184 →

Section 204 BNSS Bare Act Text

204. Place of trial for offences triable together

Where—

(a) the offences committed by any person are such that he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each such offence by virtue of the provisions of section 242, section 243 or section 244; or

(b) the offence or offences committed by several persons are such that they may be charged with and tried together by virtue of the provisions of section 246, the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.

Source: Section 204, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 204 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 says that where the offences committed by any person may be charged and tried at one trial by virtue of Section 242 BNSS, Section 243 BNSS or Section 244 BNSS, or the offence or offences committed by several persons may be charged and tried together by virtue of Section 246 BNSS, the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.

When Section 204 BNSS Applies

  • Section 204(a) BNSS applies where the offences committed by any person are such that the person may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each such offence by virtue of Section 242 BNSS, Section 243 BNSS or Section 244 BNSS.
  • Section 204(b) BNSS applies where the offence or offences committed by several persons are such that they may be charged with and tried together by virtue of Section 246 BNSS.
  • In either case the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.

Example of Section 204 BNSS

Rahul commits an offence in Indore and another offence in Jhansi. Rahul may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each offence by virtue of Section 242 BNSS. A Court in Indore is competent to inquire into or try one of the offences. Under Section 204 BNSS the offences may be inquired into or tried by that Court.

When Section 204 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 204 BNSS speaks of any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences. 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 204 BNSS speaks of offences that may be charged and tried together. It does not deal with an offence committed whilst a person or thing is in the course of performing a journey or voyage, which Section 203 BNSS deals with.

Section 204 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 204 BNSS replaces Section 184 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 184 CrPC is found in Section 204 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Both have the same heading. Section 204 BNSS refers to Section 242 BNSS, Section 243 BNSS, Section 244 BNSS and Section 246 BNSS where Section 184 CrPC referred to Section 219 CrPC, Section 220 CrPC, Section 221 CrPC and Section 223 CrPC. Section 204(a) BNSS ends with a semicolon and the word or where Section 184(a) CrPC ends with a comma and the word or.

View CrPC Section 184 →

FAQs on Section 204 BNSS

Which Court may inquire into or try the offences under Section 204 BNSS?▼

Any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.

Does Section 204 BNSS cover offences committed by several persons?▼

Yes. Section 204(b) BNSS speaks of the offence or offences committed by several persons that may be charged with and tried together by virtue of Section 246 BNSS.

Which sections does Section 204 BNSS refer to?▼

Section 204(a) BNSS refers to Section 242 BNSS, Section 243 BNSS and Section 244 BNSS. Section 204(b) BNSS refers to Section 246 BNSS.

What changed from Section 184 CrPC to Section 204 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 204 BNSS has the same heading as Section 184 CrPC and the same words. Section 204(a) BNSS refers to Section 242 BNSS, Section 243 BNSS and Section 244 BNSS where Section 184(a) CrPC referred to Section 219 CrPC, Section 220 CrPC and Section 221 CrPC. Section 204(b) BNSS refers to Section 246 BNSS where Section 184(b) CrPC referred to Section 223 CrPC. Section 204(a) BNSS ends with a semicolon and the word or where Section 184(a) CrPC ends with a comma and the word or.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·