Section 203 CrPC: Dismissal of complaint

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 203 CrPC at a Glance

Section 203 CrPC deals with dismissal of complaint. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 226 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 226 →

What Section 203 CrPC Says

203. Dismissal of complaint

If, after considering the statements on oath (if any) of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry or investigation (if any) under section 202, the Magistrate is of opinion that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding, he shall dismiss the complaint, and in every such case he shall briefly record his reasons for so doing.

Source: Section 203, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 203 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 203 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 covers the Magistrate who, after considering the statements on oath, if any, of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry or investigation, if any, under Section 202 CrPC, is of opinion that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding.

The Magistrate shall dismiss the complaint and in every such case shall briefly record the reasons for so doing.

When Section 203 CrPC Applies

  • The Magistrate considers the statements on oath, if any, of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry or investigation, if any, under Section 202 CrPC.
  • The Magistrate must be of opinion that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding.
  • In that case the Magistrate shall dismiss the complaint.
  • In every such case the Magistrate shall briefly record the reasons for so doing.

Example of Section 203 CrPC

Meera makes a complaint to a Magistrate. The Magistrate considers the statements on oath of Meera and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry under Section 202 CrPC. The Magistrate is of opinion that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding. Under Section 203 CrPC, the Magistrate shall dismiss the complaint and shall briefly record the reasons for so doing.

When Section 203 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 203 CrPC speaks of dismissing a complaint. It does not deal with the postponement of issue of process, which is the subject of Section 202 CrPC.

Section 203 CrPC Under BNSS 226: What Changed

Section 203 CrPC is now covered under Section 226 BNSS.

Section 203 CrPC is found in Section 226 BNSS from 1 July 2024. The heading is the same and the text is the same except for the cross-reference, which is to Section 225 BNSS in Section 226 BNSS and to Section 202 CrPC in Section 203 CrPC.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 203 vs BNSS 226) →

FAQs on Section 203 CrPC

When shall a Magistrate dismiss a complaint under Section 203 CrPC?▼

A Magistrate shall dismiss the complaint if, after considering the statements on oath, if any, of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry or investigation, if any, under Section 202 CrPC, the Magistrate is of opinion that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding.

What must the Magistrate record under Section 203 CrPC?▼

In every such case the Magistrate shall briefly record the reasons for so doing.

What does the Magistrate consider under Section 203 CrPC?▼

The statements on oath, if any, of the complainant and of the witnesses and the result of the inquiry or investigation, if any, under Section 202 CrPC.

Where is Section 203 CrPC found in the BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 203 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 226 BNSS.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·