Section 257 BNSS: Arguments
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 257 BNSS at a Glance
Section 257 BNSS deals with arguments. It replaced Section 234 CrPC on 1 July 2024.
Section 257 BNSS Bare Act Text
257. Arguments
When the examination of the witnesses (if any) for the defence is complete, the prosecutor shall sum up his case and the accused or his advocate shall be entitled to reply:
Provided that where any point of law is raised by the accused or his advocate, the prosecution may, with the permission of the Judge, make his submissions with regard to such point of law.
Source: Section 257, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 257 BNSS in Simple Words
Section 257 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is headed Arguments. The prosecutor shall sum up the prosecution case once the examination of the defence witnesses, if there are any, is complete.
The accused or the advocate of the accused is entitled to reply. The proviso deals with a point of law.
If the accused or the advocate raises one, the prosecution may make submissions on that point. The prosecution may do so only with the permission of the Judge.
When Section 257 BNSS Applies
- The prosecutor shall sum up his case when the examination of the witnesses, if any, for the defence is complete.
- The accused or the advocate of the accused shall be entitled to reply.
- Where any point of law is raised by the accused or the advocate, the prosecution may, with the permission of the Judge, make submissions with regard to that point of law.
Example of Section 257 BNSS
When Section 257 BNSS Does Not Apply
- Section 257 BNSS speaks of the prosecutor summing up the case after the examination of the witnesses for the defence. It does not deal with the judgment in the case, which is the subject of Section 258 BNSS.
- Section 257 BNSS speaks of a reply by the accused or the advocate. It does not deal with the order of acquittal where the Judge considers that there is no evidence that the accused committed the offence, which is the subject of Section 255 BNSS.
Section 257 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)
Section 257 BNSS replaces Section 234 CrPC from the old criminal code.
From 1 July 2024, Section 234 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 257 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Both sections have the same heading, Arguments. Section 257 BNSS reads advocate where Section 234 CrPC read pleader, in the main text and in the proviso. The rest of the text is the same.
View CrPC Section 234 →FAQs on Section 257 BNSS
Who sums up the case under Section 257 BNSS?▼
The prosecutor shall sum up his case when the examination of the witnesses, if any, for the defence is complete.
Who is entitled to reply under Section 257 BNSS?▼
The accused or the advocate of the accused shall be entitled to reply after the prosecutor sums up the case.
What can the prosecution do under Section 257 BNSS if a point of law is raised?▼
Where any point of law is raised by the accused or the advocate, the prosecution may, with the permission of the Judge, make submissions with regard to that point of law.
What changed from Section 234 CrPC to Section 257 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼
Section 257 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 234 CrPC, except that Section 257 BNSS reads advocate where Section 234 CrPC read pleader, in the main text and in the proviso.
Have questions about Section 257 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: 26 Oct 2026 ·