Section 314 BNSS: Interpretation of evidence to accused or his advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 314 BNSS at a Glance
Section 314 BNSS deals with interpretation of evidence to accused or his advocate. It replaced Section 279 CrPC on 1 July 2024.
Section 314 BNSS Bare Act Text
(1) Whenever any evidence is given in a language not understood by the accused, and he is present in Court in person, it shall be interpreted to him in open Court in a language understood by him.
(2) If he appears by an advocate and the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to such advocate in that language.
(3) When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much thereof as appears necessary.
Source: Section 314, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 314 BNSS in Simple Words
Section 314 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of the interpretation of evidence. Evidence given in a language not understood by the accused, who is present in Court in person, shall be interpreted in open Court in a language understood by the accused.
If the accused appears by an advocate and the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to the advocate in that language. When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much of them as appears necessary.
When Section 314 BNSS Applies
- Evidence given in a language not understood by the accused, who is present in Court in person, shall be interpreted in open Court in a language understood by the accused.
- If the accused appears by an advocate and the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to the advocate in that language.
- When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much of them as appears necessary.
Example of Section 314 BNSS
When Section 314 BNSS Does Not Apply
- Section 314 BNSS speaks of interpreting evidence to the accused or his advocate. It does not deal with the duty of an interpreter to state the true interpretation, which is the subject of Section 317 BNSS.
- Section 314 BNSS speaks of interpreting evidence. It does not deal with reading over a witness's evidence to the witness, which is the subject of Section 313 BNSS.
Section 314 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)
Section 314 BNSS replaced Section 279 CrPC from 1 July 2024.
Section 279 CrPC is found in Section 314 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Section 314 BNSS reads advocate in its heading where Section 279 CrPC reads pleader, and reads advocate in Section 314(2) BNSS where Section 279(2) CrPC read pleader. Section 314(1) BNSS and Section 314(3) BNSS read as Section 279(1) CrPC and Section 279(3) CrPC do.
Each sub-section below names its own source.
FAQs on Section 314 BNSS
What does Section 314(1) BNSS say where the accused is present in Court in person?▼
Whenever any evidence is given in a language not understood by the accused, and he is present in Court in person, it shall be interpreted to him in open Court in a language understood by him.
What does Section 314(2) BNSS say where the accused appears by an advocate?▼
If the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to such advocate in that language.
What does Section 314(3) BNSS say about documents put for formal proof?▼
It shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much thereof as appears necessary.
What changed from Section 279 CrPC to Section 314 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼
Section 314 BNSS reads advocate in its heading and in Section 314(2) BNSS where Section 279 CrPC and Section 279(2) CrPC read pleader. The rest of the text is the same.
Section 314 BNSS: Sub-sections Explained
Section 314(1) BNSS: Interpretation of evidence to accused or his pleader
▶
Bare Act Text
(1) Whenever any evidence is given in a language not understood by the accused, and he is present in Court in person, it shall be interpreted to him in open Court in a language understood by him.
Section 314(2) BNSS: Interpretation of evidence to accused or his pleader
▶
Bare Act Text
(2) If he appears by an advocate and the evidence is given in a language other than the language of the Court, and not understood by the advocate, it shall be interpreted to such advocate in that language.
Section 314(3) BNSS: Interpretation of evidence to accused or his pleader
▶
Bare Act Text
(3) When documents are put for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to interpret as much thereof as appears necessary.
Have questions about Section 314 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: 20 Oct 2026 ·