Section 288 BNSS: Language of record and judgment

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 288 BNSS at a Glance

Section 288 BNSS deals with language of record and judgment. It replaced Section 265 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 265 →

Section 288 BNSS Bare Act Text

(1) Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.

(2) The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and the record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.

Source: Section 288, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 288 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the language of the record and judgment, and with their preparation by an officer. Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.

The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.

When Section 288 BNSS Applies

  • Under Section 288(1) BNSS every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.
  • Under Section 288(2) BNSS the High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
  • The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.

Example of Section 288 BNSS

The High Court authorises Magistrate Arvind, a Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily, to prepare the record and judgment by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The officer prepares the record and judgment in the language of the Court. Magistrate Arvind signs the record and judgment so prepared.

When Section 288 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 288(1) BNSS speaks of the language of the Court for every such record and judgment. It does not deal with the substance of the evidence and the brief statement of reasons in a case tried summarily, which Section 287 BNSS covers under the heading Judgment in cases tried summarily.
  • Section 288(2) BNSS speaks of preparing the record or judgment by means of an officer appointed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. It does not deal with a term of imprisonment on conviction, which Section 285(2) BNSS covers.

Section 288 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 288 BNSS replaced Section 265 CrPC from 1 July 2024.

Section 265 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Both carry the heading Language of record and judgment and the same text.

Each sub-section below names its own source.

FAQs on Section 288 BNSS

In which language is the record and judgment written under Section 288 BNSS?▼

Under Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.

Can an officer prepare the record or judgment under Section 288 BNSS?▼

The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Who signs the record or judgment so prepared under Section 288 BNSS?▼

The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.

What changed from Section 265 CrPC to Section 288 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 288 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 265 CrPC.

Section 288 BNSS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 288(1) BNSS: Language of record and judgment

▶

Bare Act Text

(1) Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.

Previous Law

CrPC 265 → Section 288(1) BNSS

Section 288(2) BNSS: Language of record and judgment

▶

Bare Act Text

(2) The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and the record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.

Previous Law

CrPC 265(2) → Section 288(2) BNSS

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