Section 252 BNSS: Conviction on plea of guilty

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 252 BNSS at a Glance

Section 252 BNSS deals with conviction on plea of guilty. It replaced Section 229 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 229 →

Section 252 BNSS Bare Act Text

252. Conviction on plea of guilty

If the accused pleads guilty, the Judge shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

Source: Section 252, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 252 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 252 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with a plea of guilty. If the accused pleads guilty, the Judge shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

When Section 252 BNSS Applies

  • Section 252 BNSS applies if the accused pleads guilty.
  • The Judge shall record the plea.
  • The Judge may, in his discretion, convict the accused on the plea.

Example of Section 252 BNSS

Farhan, the accused in a trial, pleads guilty. Under Section 252 BNSS, the Judge shall record the plea and may, in the discretion of the Judge, convict Farhan on the plea.

When Section 252 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 252 BNSS speaks of an accused who pleads guilty. It does not deal with an accused who refuses to plead or does not plead, which Section 253 BNSS covers.
  • Section 252 BNSS speaks of a plea of guilty. It does not deal with who conducts the prosecution in a trial before a Court of Session, which Section 248 BNSS covers.

Section 252 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 252 BNSS replaces Section 229 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 252 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has the same heading and the same text as Section 229 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Only the section number and the name of the Code differ.

View CrPC Section 229 →

FAQs on Section 252 BNSS

What must the Judge do when the accused pleads guilty under Section 252 BNSS?▼

If the accused pleads guilty, the Judge shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

Is the Judge required to convict on a plea of guilty under Section 252 BNSS?▼

Section 252 BNSS says the Judge shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict the accused on the plea.

What follows under Section 253 BNSS if the accused is not convicted under Section 252 BNSS?▼

Section 253 BNSS says that if the accused is not convicted under section 252, the Judge shall fix a date for the examination of witnesses.

What changed from Section 229 CrPC to Section 252 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 252 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has the same heading and the same text as Section 229 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Only the section number and the name of the Code differ.

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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: 20 Oct 2026 ·