Section 204 BNSS: Place of Trial for Offences Triable Together
Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) determines the place of inquiry or trial where offences may lawfully be tried together. It links territorial jurisdiction with the joinder provisions contained in Sections 242, 243, 244 and 246 BNSS.
Text of Section 204, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
204. Place of trial for offences triable together.
Where-
(a) the offences committed by any person are such that he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each such offence by virtue of the provisions of section 242, section 243 or section 244; or
(b) the offence or offences committed by several persons are such that they may be charged with and tried together by virtue of the provisions of section 246, the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.
Meaning of Section 204 BNSS
Section 204 is a territorial-jurisdiction rule that operates when the BNSS permits multiple offences, or multiple accused persons, to be dealt with in one trial. Instead of requiring separate proceedings merely because different offences may otherwise have different territorial connections, the section permits the combined case to proceed before any Court that is competent to inquire into or try any one of those offences.
The section therefore works together with the BNSS rules on joinder of charges and joint trials. It does not itself create a new offence or independently authorise joinder; rather, it identifies the proper place of trial once the conditions in Sections 242, 243, 244 or 246 are satisfied.
Sections Referred to in Section 204 BNSS
| BNSS provision | What it broadly covers | Connection with Section 204 |
|---|---|---|
| Section 242 | Offences of the same kind committed within twelve months may be charged and tried together, subject to the statutory limit. | If such offences are jointly triable, Section 204 allows the case before any Court competent to try any of them. |
| Section 243 | More than one offence arising from acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, along with other specified combinations. | Section 204 supplies the territorial-jurisdiction rule for the combined trial. |
| Section 244 | Cases where it is doubtful which of several offences the provable facts will constitute. | Where alternative or multiple charges may be tried together, Section 204 permits trial by any Court competent regarding any of the offences. |
| Section 246 | Categories of persons who may be charged and tried jointly. | Where several persons can be tried together, Section 204 allows trial by any Court competent to try any of the offences involved. |
Section 242 BNSS: Offences of the Same Kind Within One Year
Section 242 BNSS permits a person accused of more than one offence of the same kind, committed within twelve months from the first to the last offence, to be charged with and tried at one trial for a number of such offences not exceeding five. Section 204 then assists in determining the territorial forum for that combined trial.
Section 243 BNSS: Trial for More Than One Offence
Section 243 deals principally with multiple offences arising from one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction. It also covers other combinations expressly specified in that provision. If the offences are triable together under Section 243, Section 204 permits any Court competent to inquire into or try any one of those offences to deal with the combined case.
Section 244 BNSS: Doubt About Which Offence Has Been Committed
Section 244 applies where a single act or series of acts is such that it is doubtful which of several offences the facts that can be proved will constitute. The accused may be charged with all or any of those offences, or in the alternative, as permitted by that section. Where those charges are tried together, Section 204 governs the territorial forum.
Section 246 BNSS: Persons Who May Be Charged Jointly
Section 246 identifies categories of persons who may be charged and tried together, including persons accused of the same offence committed in the course of the same transaction, persons accused of an offence together with those accused of abetment or attempt, and other combinations specified in that section. Section 204 permits the joint case to be heard by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.
How Section 204 Works in Practice
- First determine whether the offences or accused persons can lawfully be tried together under Sections 242, 243, 244 or 246 BNSS.
- Identify the Courts that would be competent to inquire into or try the individual offences.
- If Section 204 applies, any Court competent to inquire into or try any of those offences may conduct the combined inquiry or trial.
- The provision helps avoid unnecessary fragmentation of proceedings where the BNSS already permits a joint trial.
- Other requirements concerning competence, cognizance and procedure remain applicable.
Section 204 BNSS and Former Section 184 CrPC
Section 204 BNSS corresponds to the rule formerly contained in Section 184 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 concerning the place of trial for offences triable together. Under the BNSS, the cross-references have been renumbered to the corresponding provisions dealing with joinder of charges and joint trials.
Related BNSS Provisions
For the surrounding rules on territorial jurisdiction, see Section 201 - Place of trial in case of certain offences, Section 202 - Offences by electronic communications, letters, etc., Section 203 - Offence committed on journey or voyage, and Section 205 - Power to order cases to be tried in different sessions divisions.
Last reviewed: 11 September 2026.