When an offence is committed whilst the person by or against whom, or the thing in respect of which, the offence is committed is in the course of performing a journey or voyage, the offence may be inquired into or tried by a Court through or into whose local jurisdiction that person or thing passed in the course of that journey or voyage.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Section 203
Offence committed on journey or voyage
Englishहिंदी
⚡ Quick Answer Reference: Section 203 BNSS
- Provision: Section 203 of BNSS
- Act: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
- Classification: JURISDICTION OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS IN INQUIRIES AND TRIALS
- Jurisdiction: India
- Summary: This section allows a court to investigate or try an offence that occurred during a journey or voyage, in the area where the person or thing related to the offence passed through.
Statutory Content
What does Section 203 of BNSS say?
Indian StandardSection 203, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Bluebook (21st ed.)Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, § 203 (India)
Court Pleading StandardSection 203 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Canonical Web linkhttps://nyaya.cloud/acts/bharatiya-nagarik-suraksha-sanhita/203
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Source: Gazette of India (Official Publication)Verify egazette.gov.in ↗
✓ VERIFIED FOR LEGAL ACCURACYReviewed & certified by Advocate Priya Menon (Bar Council ID: MAH/4521/2018).
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Section Meaning & Purpose
What does Section 203 of BNSS mean?
Plain English Explanation
This section allows a court to investigate or try an offence that occurred during a journey or voyage, in the area where the person or thing related to the offence passed through.
Practical Interpretation
In practice, this section enables courts to have jurisdiction over offences that happen while someone is travelling, making it easier to investigate and prosecute such crimes.
Core Legal Purpose
The main purpose of this section is to provide a clear jurisdiction for courts to handle offences committed during journeys or voyages, ensuring that such crimes do not go unpunished due to jurisdictional issues.
Key Legal Elements
- •The offence must be committed whilst the person or thing is in the course of performing a journey or voyage.
- •The court must have local jurisdiction over the area through which the person or thing passed.
- •The key legal test is whether the offence occurred during the journey or voyage and whether the court has jurisdiction.
- •There is no explicit exception or limitation mentioned in this section.
Practical Example
Practical Example of Section 203 BNSS
For example, if Rajesh is travelling from Mumbai to Delhi by train and commits an offence against a co-passenger, Priya, the court in any district through which the train passed can inquire into or try the offence. This means that even if the offence occurred in a district other than where Rajesh or Priya live, the court can still have jurisdiction.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions about Section 203 BNSS
Q: What is the punishment or consequence under Section 203 of BNSS?
This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment.
Q: Does this section apply to private individuals or public entities?
This section applies to any person or thing, regardless of whether they are private individuals or public entities, as long as the offence was committed during a journey or voyage.
Q: Is an offence under this section bailable or cognizable?
This section does not specify whether an offence is bailable or cognizable, as it only deals with the jurisdiction of the court.
People Also Ask (PAA)
Common Questions about Section 203 BNSS
What is Section 203 of BNSS?
Section 203 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) defines and regulates "Offence committed on journey or voyage". In plain terms: This section allows a court to investigate or try an offence that occurred during a journey or voyage, in the area where the person or thing related to the offence passed through.
What is the punishment under Section 203 of BNSS?
Section 203 of BNSS does not prescribe a specific criminal punishment, or it is a procedural provision.
Is Section 203 of BNSS bailable or non-bailable?
Whether Section 203 of BNSS is bailable or non-bailable depends on the schedule classification.
What are the elements of Section 203 of BNSS?
The essential elements of Section 203 of BNSS are: The offence must be committed whilst the person or thing is in the course of performing a journey or voyage.; The court must have local jurisdiction over the area through which the person or thing passed.; The key legal test is whether the offence occurred during the journey or voyage and whether the court has jurisdiction..
Landmark Case Laws
Landmark Judgments under Section 203 BNSS
Patnahcucisdb94 High Court (10 8)
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