Section 317 BNSS: Interpreter to be bound to interpret truthfully

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 317 BNSS at a Glance

Section 317 BNSS deals with interpreter to be bound to interpret truthfully. It replaced Section 282 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Section 317 BNSS Bare Act Text

317. Interpreter to be bound to interpret truthfully

When the services of an interpreter are required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or statement, he shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence or statement.

Source: Section 317, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 317 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 317 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of an interpreter whose services are required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or statement. The interpreter shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence or statement.

When Section 317 BNSS Applies

  • The services of an interpreter are required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or statement.
  • The interpreter shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence or statement.

Example of Section 317 BNSS

A Criminal Court requires the services of an interpreter, Hamid, for the interpretation of the evidence of a witness, Leela. Hamid shall be bound to state the true interpretation of Leela's evidence.

When Section 317 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 317 BNSS speaks of the duty of an interpreter to state the true interpretation. It does not deal with the interpretation of evidence to the accused or his advocate in open Court, which is the subject of Section 314 BNSS.
  • Section 317 BNSS speaks of an interpreter required by a Criminal Court. It does not deal with the reading over of a witness's evidence to the witness, which is the subject of Section 313 BNSS.

Section 317 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 317 BNSS replaces Section 282 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 282 CrPC is found in Section 317 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The heading and the text are the same.

View CrPC Section 282 โ†’

FAQs on Section 317 BNSS

When does Section 317 BNSS apply?โ–ผ

When the services of an interpreter are required by any Criminal Court for the interpretation of any evidence or statement.

What is the interpreter bound to do under Section 317 BNSS?โ–ผ

The interpreter shall be bound to state the true interpretation of such evidence or statement.

Which courts does Section 317 BNSS speak of?โ–ผ

Any Criminal Court that requires the services of an interpreter for the interpretation of any evidence or statement.

What changed from Section 282 CrPC to Section 317 BNSS from 1 July 2024?โ–ผ

Section 317 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 282 CrPC.

Have questions about Section 317 BNSS?

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

Ask NyayGuru โ†’

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

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