Section 265C CrPC: Guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 265C CrPC at a Glance

Section 265C CrPC deals with guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 291 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 291 →

What Section 265C CrPC Says

265C. Guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition
In working out a mutually satisfactory disposition under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 265B, the Court shall follow the following procedure, namely:—
(a) in a case instituted on a police report, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused and the victim of the case to participate in the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case:
Provided that throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure that the entire process is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting:
Provided further that the accused, if he so desires, may participate in such meeting with his pleader, if any, engaged in the case;
(b) in a case instituted otherwise than on police report, the Court shall issue notice to the accused and the victim of the case to participate in a meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case:
Provided that it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure, throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, that it is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting:
Provided further that if the victim of the case or the accused, as the case may be, so desires, he may participate in such meeting with his pleader engaged in the case.

Source: Section 265C, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 265C CrPC in Simple Words

Section 265C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 sets out the procedure the Court shall follow in working out a mutually satisfactory disposition under Section 265B(4)(a) CrPC.

In a case instituted on a police report, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused and the victim of the case to participate in the meeting.

In a case instituted otherwise than on police report, the Court shall issue notice to the accused and the victim of the case.

When Section 265C CrPC Applies

Section 265C(a) CrPC applies in a case instituted on a police report; the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused and the victim of the case to participate in the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case.
The first proviso to Section 265C(a) CrPC says that throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure that the entire process is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting.
The second proviso to Section 265C(a) CrPC says that the accused, if he so desires, may participate in such meeting with his pleader, if any, engaged in the case.
Section 265C(b) CrPC applies in a case instituted otherwise than on police report; the Court shall issue notice to the accused and the victim of the case to participate in a meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case.
The first proviso to Section 265C(b) CrPC says it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure, throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, that it is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting. The second proviso to Section 265C(b) CrPC says that if the victim of the case or the accused, as the case may be, so desires, he may participate in such meeting with his pleader engaged in the case.

Example of Section 265C CrPC

A case has been instituted on a police report. The Court is working out a mutually satisfactory disposition under Section 265B(4)(a) CrPC. Under Section 265C(a) CrPC, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused Rajesh and the victim Sunita to participate in the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case. Under the second proviso to Section 265C(a) CrPC, Rajesh, if Rajesh so desires, may participate in such meeting with the pleader, if any, engaged in the case.

When Section 265C CrPC Does Not Apply

Section 265C CrPC speaks of the procedure the Court shall follow in working out a mutually satisfactory disposition. It does not deal with the application for plea bargaining, which Section 265B CrPC covers under the heading Application for plea bargaining.
Section 265C CrPC speaks of the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case. It does not deal with the report of the disposition to be submitted before the Court, which Section 265D CrPC covers under the heading Report of the mutually satisfactory disposition to be submitted before the Court.

Section 265C CrPC Under BNSS 291: What Changed

Section 265C CrPC is now covered under Section 291 BNSS.

Section 265C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024, under the same heading. The opening words of Section 291 BNSS refer to Section 290 BNSS where the opening words of Section 265C CrPC referred to Section 265B CrPC. The second proviso to Section 291(a) BNSS and the second proviso to Section 291(b) BNSS say advocate where Section 265C(a) CrPC and Section 265C(b) CrPC said pleader. The second proviso to Section 291(b) BNSS drops the words as the case may be. The rest of the text is the same.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 265C vs BNSS 291) →

FAQs on Section 265C CrPC

Who is issued notice under Section 265C(a) CrPC in a case instituted on a police report?▼

Section 265C(a) CrPC says that in a case instituted on a police report, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused and the victim of the case to participate in the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case.

Who is issued notice under Section 265C(b) CrPC in a case instituted otherwise than on police report?▼

Section 265C(b) CrPC says that in a case instituted otherwise than on police report, the Court shall issue notice to the accused and the victim of the case to participate in a meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case.

What do the provisos to Section 265C CrPC say?▼

The first proviso to Section 265C(a) CrPC and the first proviso to Section 265C(b) CrPC say it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure that the process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting. The second proviso to Section 265C(a) CrPC says the accused, if he so desires, may participate in such meeting with his pleader, if any, engaged in the case. The second proviso to Section 265C(b) CrPC says that if the victim of the case or the accused, as the case may be, so desires, he may participate in such meeting with his pleader engaged in the case.

Where is Section 265C 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. The opening words of Section 265C CrPC are found in the opening words of Section 291 BNSS, Section 265C(a) CrPC is found in Section 291(a) BNSS and Section 265C(b) CrPC is found in Section 291(b) BNSS.

Have questions about Section 265C CrPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

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: 22 Oct 2026 ·