BNSS · Section 237 · Chapter XVIII — THE CHARGE

Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is punishable.

What this section does

Words used in a charge to describe an offence carry the meaning assigned to them by the law under which the offence is punishable, ensuring that the charge is interpreted consistently with the relevant statute.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Procedure at a glance

Key actors: Court

Old-law correspondence

Derived from CrPC s.214.

Read the official text

For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 237, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.

Why this matters

BNSS Section 237 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.