Section 265 CrPC: Language of record and judgment
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 265 CrPC at a Glance
Section 265 CrPC deals with language of record and judgment. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 288 BNSS.
What Section 265 CrPC Says
265. Language of record and judgment
(1) Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.
(2) The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and the record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.
Source: Section 265, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 265 CrPC in Simple Words
Section 265 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the language of the record and judgment, and with their preparation by an officer. Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.
The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.
When Section 265 CrPC Applies
- Under Section 265(1) CrPC every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.
- Under Section 265(2) CrPC the High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
- The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.
Example of Section 265 CrPC
When Section 265 CrPC Does Not Apply
- Section 265(1) CrPC speaks of the language of the Court for every such record and judgment. It does not deal with the substance of the evidence and the brief statement of reasons in a case tried summarily, which Section 264 CrPC covers under the heading Judgment in cases tried summarily.
- Section 265(2) CrPC speaks of preparing the record or judgment by means of an officer appointed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. It does not deal with a term of imprisonment on conviction, which Section 262(2) CrPC covers.
Section 265 CrPC Under BNSS 288: What Changed
Section 265 CrPC is now covered under Section 288 BNSS.
Section 265 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Both carry the heading Language of record and judgment and the same text.
View detailed comparison (CrPC 265 vs BNSS 288) →FAQs on Section 265 CrPC
In which language is the record and judgment written under Section 265 CrPC?▼
Under Section 265 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court.
Can an officer prepare the record or judgment under Section 265 CrPC?▼
The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the aforesaid record or judgment or both by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Who signs the record or judgment so prepared under Section 265 CrPC?▼
The record or judgment so prepared shall be signed by such Magistrate.
Where is Section 265 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 265(1) CrPC is found in Section 288(1) BNSS and Section 265(2) CrPC in Section 288(2) BNSS. Both carry the heading Language of record and judgment.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·