Section 214 BNSS: Additional Sessions Judges to try cases made over to them

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 214 BNSS at a Glance

Section 214 BNSS deals with additional Sessions Judges to try cases made over to them. It replaced Section 194 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 194 →

Section 214 BNSS Bare Act Text

214. Additional and Assistant Sessions Judges to try cases made over to them
Additional Sessions Judges to try cases made over to them.
An Additional Sessions Judge shall try such cases as the Sessions Judge of the division may, by general or special order, make over to him for trial or as the High Court may, by special order, direct him to try.

Source: Section 214, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 214 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the cases that an Additional Sessions Judge shall try. The Sessions Judge of the division may, by general or special order, make over cases to that judge for trial. The High Court may, by special order, direct that judge to try cases.

When Section 214 BNSS Applies

An Additional Sessions Judge shall try the cases made over to that judge or directed to be tried by that judge under Section 214 BNSS.
The Sessions Judge of the division may make over cases to an Additional Sessions Judge for trial.
The Sessions Judge of the division makes over a case under Section 214 BNSS by general or special order.
The High Court may, by special order, direct an Additional Sessions Judge to try a case.

Example of Section 214 BNSS

Ananya is an Additional Sessions Judge. Vikram is the Sessions Judge of the division. Vikram makes over the trial of Rohan to Ananya by special order. The High Court directs Ananya by special order to try the case against Priya. Under Section 214 BNSS, Ananya shall try the case against Rohan and the case against Priya.

When Section 214 BNSS Does Not Apply

Section 214 BNSS speaks of an Additional Sessions Judge who shall try cases. It does not deal with the commitment of a case by a Magistrate to the Court of Session.
Section 214 BNSS speaks of a general or special order of the Sessions Judge of the division and a special order of the High Court. It does not deal with an order of a Magistrate.

Section 214 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 214 BNSS replaces Section 194 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 194 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 214 BNSS names only an Additional Sessions Judge, in its heading and in its text. Section 194 CrPC named an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge in its text and Additional and Assistant Sessions Judges in its heading. The words on the orders of the Sessions Judge of the division and of the High Court are the same.

View CrPC Section 194 →

FAQs on Section 214 BNSS

Who makes over cases to an Additional Sessions Judge under Section 214 BNSS?▼

Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads that an Additional Sessions Judge shall try such cases as the Sessions Judge of the division may, by general or special order, make over for trial, or as the High Court may, by special order, direct that judge to try.

What kind of order does Section 214 BNSS require from the Sessions Judge and from the High Court?▼

Section 214 BNSS reads that the Sessions Judge of the division may make over cases by general or special order. It reads that the High Court may direct an Additional Sessions Judge to try cases by special order.

Does an Additional Sessions Judge try a case made over under Section 214 BNSS?▼

Yes. Section 214 BNSS reads that an Additional Sessions Judge shall try such cases as the Sessions Judge of the division makes over for trial by general or special order, or as the High Court directs that judge to try by special order.

What changed from Section 194 CrPC to Section 214 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 194 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 214 BNSS reads Additional Sessions Judges in its heading and an Additional Sessions Judge in its text. Section 194 CrPC read Additional and Assistant Sessions Judges in its heading and an Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge in its text. The rest of the text is the same.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 21 Oct 2026 ·