Section 318 BNSS: Record in High Court

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 318 BNSS at a Glance

Section 318 BNSS deals with record in High Court. It replaced Section 283 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 283 →

Section 318 BNSS Bare Act Text

318. Record in High Court

Every High Court may, by general rule, prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it, and such evidence and examination shall be taken down in accordance with such rule.

Source: Section 318, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 318 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 speaks of the manner of taking down evidence in the High Court. Every High Court may, by general rule, prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it. Such evidence and examination shall be taken down in accordance with such rule.

When Section 318 BNSS Applies

  • Every High Court may, by general rule, prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it.
  • Such evidence and examination shall be taken down in accordance with such rule.

Example of Section 318 BNSS

A High Court makes a general rule prescribing the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it. In a case before that High Court, the evidence of the witness Mohan and the examination of the accused Sunil shall be taken down in accordance with that rule.

When Section 318 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 318 BNSS speaks of cases coming before a High Court. It does not deal with the issue of a commission for the examination of a witness, which is the subject of Section 319 BNSS.
  • Section 318 BNSS speaks of the manner in which evidence shall be taken down. It does not deal with remarks on the demeanour of a witness, which are the subject of Section 315 BNSS.

Section 318 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 318 BNSS replaces Section 283 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 283 CrPC is found in Section 318 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The heading and the text are the same.

View CrPC Section 283 →

FAQs on Section 318 BNSS

What may a High Court prescribe under Section 318 BNSS?▼

Every High Court may, by general rule, prescribe the manner in which the evidence of witnesses and the examination of the accused shall be taken down in cases coming before it.

How shall the evidence and examination be taken down under Section 318 BNSS?▼

In accordance with the general rule of the High Court.

Which cases does Section 318 BNSS speak of?▼

Cases coming before the High Court.

What changed from Section 283 CrPC to Section 318 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 318 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 283 CrPC.

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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 ·