Section 252 CrPC: Conviction on plea of guilty

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 252 CrPC at a Glance

Section 252 CrPC deals with conviction on plea of guilty. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 275 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 275 →

What Section 252 CrPC Says

252. Conviction on plea of guilty

If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the accused and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

Source: Section 252, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 252 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 252 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with an accused who pleads guilty. The Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the accused. The Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

When Section 252 CrPC Applies

  • Section 252 CrPC applies if the accused pleads guilty.
  • The Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the accused.
  • The Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict the accused on that plea.

Example of Section 252 CrPC

Ramesh is the accused before Magistrate Priya. Ramesh pleads guilty. Magistrate Priya records the plea as nearly as possible in the words Ramesh used. Section 252 CrPC says the Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict the accused on the plea, so Magistrate Priya may convict Ramesh on it.

When Section 252 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 252 CrPC speaks of an accused who pleads guilty before the Magistrate. It does not deal with a plea of guilty made without appearing before the Magistrate in a petty case, which Section 253 CrPC covers under the heading Conviction on plea of guilty in absence of accused in petty cases.
  • Section 252 CrPC speaks of recording the plea and convicting on it. It does not deal with the hearing of the prosecution and the accused when the Magistrate does not convict, which Section 254 CrPC covers under the heading Procedure when not convicted.

Section 252 CrPC Under BNSS 275: What Changed

Section 252 CrPC is now covered under Section 275 BNSS.

Section 252 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 275 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Both carry the heading Conviction on plea of guilty and the same text.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 252 vs BNSS 275) →

FAQs on Section 252 CrPC

What must the Magistrate do when the accused pleads guilty under Section 252 CrPC?▼

Under Section 252 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, if the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the accused. The Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

Must the Magistrate convict the accused on a plea of guilty under Section 252 CrPC?▼

Section 252 CrPC says the Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict the accused on the plea. The text uses may for the conviction and shall for recording the plea.

Does Section 252 CrPC state a time limit?▼

No. Section 252 CrPC states no time limit for recording the plea or for convicting the accused.

Where is Section 252 CrPC found in the BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 252 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 275 BNSS. Both carry the heading Conviction on plea of guilty.

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