279. (1) If the summons has been issued on complaint, and on the day appointed for the appearance of the accused, or any day subsequent thereto to which the hearing may be adjourned, the complainant does not appear, the Magistrate shall, after giving thirty days' time to the complainant to be present, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, acquit the accused, unless for some reason he thinks it proper to adjourn the hearing of the case to some other day:
Provided that where the complainant is represented by an advocate or by the officer conducting the prosecution or where the Magistrate is of opinion that the personal attendance of the complainant is not necessary, the Magistrate may, dispense with his attendance and proceed with the case.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall, so far as may be, apply also to cases where the non-appearance of the complainant is due to his death.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 271 Acquittal or conviction
Section 272 Absence of complainant
Section 273 Compensation for accusation without reasonable cause
Section 274 Substance of accusation to be stated
Section 275 Conviction on plea of guilty
Section 276 Conviction on plea of guilty in absence of accused in petty cases
Section 277 Procedure when not convicted
Section 278 Acquittal or conviction