Section 231 BNSS: Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 231 BNSS at a Glance

Section 231 BNSS deals with supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session. It replaced Section 208 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 208 →

Section 231 BNSS Bare Act Text

231. Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session

Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under section 227 that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following:—

(i) the statements recorded under section 223 or section 225, of all persons examined by the Magistrate;

(ii) the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under section 180 or section 183;

(iii) any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely:

Provided that if the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, he shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy thereof, direct that he will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through an advocate in Court:

Provided further that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

Source: Section 231, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 231 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads that where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under Section 227 BNSS that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of the statements recorded under Section 223 BNSS or Section 225 BNSS of all persons examined by the Magistrate, the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under Section 180 BNSS or Section 183 BNSS, and any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely.

A proviso and a further proviso follow.

When Section 231 BNSS Applies

  • Where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under Section 227 BNSS that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each document listed in Section 231 BNSS.
  • The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements recorded under Section 223 BNSS or Section 225 BNSS of all persons examined by the Magistrate.
  • The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under Section 180 BNSS or Section 183 BNSS.
  • The Magistrate shall furnish a copy of any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely.
  • If the Magistrate is satisfied that any such document is voluminous, the Magistrate shall, instead of furnishing the accused with a copy, direct that the accused will only be allowed to inspect it either personally or through an advocate in Court.
  • The further proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

Time Limits Under Section 231 BNSS

  • The Magistrate shall furnish the copies forthwith.Act text: “the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the following”

Example of Section 231 BNSS

Rohan files a complaint against Kavita, and the case is instituted otherwise than on a police report. The Magistrate examines Rohan and a witness under Section 223 BNSS and Section 225 BNSS. While issuing process under Section 227 BNSS, it appears to the Magistrate that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session. Under Section 231 BNSS, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to Kavita, free of cost, a copy of the statements recorded under Section 223 BNSS and Section 225 BNSS and a copy of any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely. Under the further proviso, supply of those documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

When Section 231 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 231 BNSS speaks of a case instituted otherwise than on a police report. It does not deal with a case instituted on a police report.
  • Section 231 BNSS speaks of an offence triable exclusively by the Court of Session. It does not deal with an offence triable by a Court other than the Court of Session.

Section 231 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 231 BNSS replaces Section 208 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 231 BNSS reads forthwith where Section 208 CrPC read without delay. Section 231 BNSS refers to Section 227 BNSS, Section 223 BNSS, Section 225 BNSS, Section 180 BNSS and Section 183 BNSS where Section 208 CrPC referred to Section 204 CrPC, Section 200 CrPC, Section 202 CrPC, Section 161 CrPC and Section 164 CrPC. The proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads an advocate where the proviso to Section 208 CrPC read pleader. Section 231 BNSS adds a further proviso on supply of documents in electronic form.

View CrPC Section 208 →

FAQs on Section 231 BNSS

When must the Magistrate furnish copies to the accused under Section 231 BNSS?▼

Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 reads that where, in a case instituted otherwise than on a police report, it appears to the Magistrate issuing process under Section 227 BNSS that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session, the Magistrate shall forthwith furnish to the accused, free of cost, a copy of each of the documents listed in the section.

Can documents under Section 231 BNSS be supplied in electronic form?▼

The further proviso to Section 231 BNSS reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

Which statements and documents are furnished under Section 231 BNSS?▼

Section 231 BNSS lists the statements recorded under Section 223 BNSS or Section 225 BNSS of all persons examined by the Magistrate, the statements and confessions, if any, recorded under Section 180 BNSS or Section 183 BNSS, and any documents produced before the Magistrate on which the prosecution proposes to rely.

What changed from Section 208 CrPC to Section 231 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 231 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced Section 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 231 BNSS reads forthwith where Section 208 CrPC read without delay. Section 231 BNSS refers to Section 227 BNSS, Section 223 BNSS, Section 225 BNSS, Section 180 BNSS and Section 183 BNSS where Section 208 CrPC referred to Section 204 CrPC, Section 200 CrPC, Section 202 CrPC, Section 161 CrPC and Section 164 CrPC. Section 231 BNSS reads an advocate where Section 208 CrPC read pleader. Section 231 BNSS adds a further proviso, which reads that supply of documents in electronic form shall be considered as duly furnished.

Have questions about Section 231 BNSS?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

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: 22 Oct 2026 ·