Section 178 CrPC: Place of inquiry or trial

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 178 CrPC at a Glance

Section 178 CrPC deals with place of inquiry or trial. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 198 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 198 →

What Section 178 CrPC Says

178. Place of inquiry or trial

(a) When it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed, or (b) where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another, or (c) where an offence is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one, or (d) where it consists of several acts done in different local areas, it may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Source: Section 178, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 178 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 178 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the place of inquiry or trial. In each of the cases below, the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court that has jurisdiction over any one of the local areas concerned.

The first case is where it is uncertain in which of several local areas the offence was committed. The second case is where the offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another.

The third case is where the offence is a continuing one and continues to be committed in more than one local area. The fourth case is where the offence consists of several acts done in different local areas.

When Section 178 CrPC Applies

  • Section 178(a) CrPC applies when it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed.
  • Section 178(b) CrPC applies where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another.
  • Section 178(c) CrPC applies where an offence is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one.
  • Section 178(d) CrPC applies where an offence consists of several acts done in different local areas.
  • In each of these cases the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Example of Section 178 CrPC

It is uncertain whether an offence alleged against Vikram was committed in the local area of Pune or in the local area of Nashik. Under Section 178(a) CrPC the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over Pune or by a Court having jurisdiction over Nashik.

When Section 178 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 178 CrPC speaks of an offence whose place is uncertain, or which is committed in more than one local area. It does not deal with an offence committed within a known local area, which Section 177 CrPC deals with.
  • Section 178 CrPC speaks of a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas. It does not deal with the question that arises when Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and ask which of them ought to inquire into or try it, which Section 186 CrPC deals with.

Section 178 CrPC Under BNSS 198: What Changed

Section 178 CrPC is now covered under Section 198 BNSS.

Section 178 CrPC is found in Section 198 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Both have the same heading and the same words. Section 198 BNSS ends each clause before the last with a semicolon where Section 178 CrPC ends each of them with a comma.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 178 vs BNSS 198) →

FAQs on Section 178 CrPC

When may an offence be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of several local areas under Section 178 CrPC?▼

When it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed, where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another, where an offence is a continuing one and continues to be committed in more local areas than one, or where it consists of several acts done in different local areas.

Which Court may inquire into or try the offence under Section 178 CrPC?▼

A Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Does Section 178 CrPC cover a continuing offence?▼

Yes. Section 178(c) CrPC speaks of an offence that is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one.

Where is Section 178 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 178 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 198 BNSS.

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

Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·