Section 272 CrPC: Language of Courts

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 272 CrPC at a Glance

Section 272 CrPC deals with language of Courts. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 307 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 307 →

What Section 272 CrPC Says

272. Language of Courts

The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of this Code, the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court.

Source: Section 272, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 272 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the language of Courts. The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of this Code, the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court.

When Section 272 CrPC Applies

  • The State Government may determine the language.
  • The language is determined for each Court within the State other than the High Court.
  • The determination is made for purposes of the Code.

Example of Section 272 CrPC

The State Government of a State determines what shall be, for purposes of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the language of the Court of a Magistrate within the State. Section 272 CrPC speaks of each Court within the State other than the High Court.

When Section 272 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 272 CrPC speaks of the language of each Court within the State. It does not deal with the record of evidence in summons-cases, which is the subject of Section 274 CrPC.
  • Section 272 CrPC speaks of the language of each Court within the State. It does not deal with the record of evidence in trials before a Court of Session, which is the subject of Section 276 CrPC.

Section 272 CrPC Under BNSS 307: What Changed

Section 272 CrPC is now covered under Section 307 BNSS.

Section 307 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 272 CrPC, except that Section 307 BNSS reads for purposes of this Sanhita where Section 272 CrPC read for purposes of this Code.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 272 vs BNSS 307) →

FAQs on Section 272 CrPC

Who may determine the language of a Court under Section 272 CrPC?▼

The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of the Code, the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court.

Does Section 272 CrPC speak of the High Court?▼

It speaks of the High Court only to exclude it. Section 272 CrPC speaks of each Court within the State other than the High Court.

For which purposes is the language determined under Section 272 CrPC?▼

For purposes of this Code, that is, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Where is Section 272 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 272 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 307 BNSS.

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