Section 224 CrPC: Withdrawal of remaining charges on conviction on one of several charges

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 224 CrPC at a Glance

Section 224 CrPC deals with withdrawal of remaining charges on conviction on one of several charges. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 247 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 247 →

What Section 224 CrPC Says

224. Withdrawal of remaining charges on conviction on one of several charges

When a charge containing more heads than one is framed against the same person, and when a conviction has been had on one or more of them, the complainant, or the officer conducting the prosecution, may, with the consent of the Court, withdraw the remaining charge or charges, or the Court of its own accord may stay the inquiry into, or trial of, such charge or charges and such withdrawal shall have the effect of an acquittal on such charge or charges, unless the conviction be set aside, in which case the said Court (subject to the order of the Court setting aside the conviction) may proceed with the inquiry into, or trial of, the charge or charges so withdrawn.

Source: Section 224, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 224 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 224 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with a charge containing more heads than one framed against the same person, where a conviction has been had on one or more of them.

The complainant, or the officer conducting the prosecution, may, with the consent of the Court, withdraw the remaining charge or charges, or the Court of its own accord may stay the inquiry into, or trial of, such charge or charges.

When Section 224 CrPC Applies

  • Section 224 CrPC applies when a charge containing more heads than one is framed against the same person, and a conviction has been had on one or more of them.
  • The complainant, or the officer conducting the prosecution, may, with the consent of the Court, withdraw the remaining charge or charges.
  • The Court of its own accord may stay the inquiry into, or trial of, such charge or charges.
  • Such withdrawal shall have the effect of an acquittal on such charge or charges, unless the conviction be set aside.
  • If the conviction is set aside, the said Court, subject to the order of the Court setting aside the conviction, may proceed with the inquiry into, or trial of, the charge or charges so withdrawn.

Example of Section 224 CrPC

A charge containing more heads than one is framed against Naveen, and a conviction has been had on one of them. The complainant, with the consent of the Court, withdraws the remaining charge. Under Section 224 CrPC, the withdrawal shall have the effect of an acquittal on the remaining charge, unless the conviction be set aside. If the conviction is set aside, the Court, subject to the order of the Court setting aside the conviction, may proceed with the inquiry into, or trial of, the charge so withdrawn.

When Section 224 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 224 CrPC speaks of the remaining charges after a conviction on one or more heads of a charge. It does not deal with who conducts the prosecution in a trial before a Court of Session, which Section 225 CrPC covers.
  • Section 224 CrPC speaks of the withdrawal or stay of the remaining charges. It does not deal with altering or adding to a charge, which Section 216 CrPC covers.

Section 224 CrPC Under BNSS 247: What Changed

Section 224 CrPC is now covered under Section 247 BNSS.

Section 247 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has the same heading and the same text as Section 224 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Only the section number and the name of the Code differ.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 224 vs BNSS 247) →

FAQs on Section 224 CrPC

Who may withdraw the remaining charges under Section 224 CrPC?▼

The complainant, or the officer conducting the prosecution, may, with the consent of the Court, withdraw the remaining charge or charges.

What is the effect of a withdrawal under Section 224 CrPC?▼

Such withdrawal shall have the effect of an acquittal on such charge or charges, unless the conviction be set aside.

May the Court stay the inquiry or trial of the remaining charges under Section 224 CrPC?▼

Yes. The Court of its own accord may stay the inquiry into, or trial of, such charge or charges.

Where is Section 224 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 224 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 247 BNSS.

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