Kinds of Trial — KSLU Bnss Notes

Kinds of Trial

The BNSS prescribes four kinds of trial, graded by the seriousness of the offence and the court conducting it. Choosing the correct mode is itself examinable.

Trial	Court	For offences…
Sessions trial (Ss.248–260)	Court of Session	Punishable with death, life or 7+ years (exclusively triable by Session)
Warrant trial (Ss.261–273)	Magistrate	Punishable with death, life or > 2 years
Summons trial (Ss.274–282)	Magistrate	Punishable with ≤ 2 years
Summary trial (Ss.283–288)	Empowered Magistrate	Petty offences; recorded summarily

A Sessions trial runs: opening by the prosecutor → consideration of discharge (S.250) → framing of charge (S.251) → plea → prosecution evidence → statement of the accused (S.351) → defence evidence → arguments → judgment of acquittal or conviction (S.258) → hearing on sentence (S.258(2)). A case is committed to the Court of Session by a Magistrate under S.232 (a Sessions court does not take cognizance directly, save as provided).

flowchart LR
    A["Cognizance & commitment (S.232)"]:::s1 --> B["Charge framed / discharge (Ss.250-251)"]:::s2
    B --> C["Prosecution evidence + S.351 statement"]:::s3
    C --> D["Defence evidence & arguments"]:::s3
    D --> E["Judgment (S.258)"]:::s4
    E --> F["Hearing on SENTENCE (S.258(2))"]:::s4

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Plea bargaining (Ss.289–300) allows an accused (except for offences against women/children, socio-economic offences and those punishable with death/life/7+ years) to apply for a mutually satisfactory disposition, earning a reduced sentence.