Court may alter charge.

What this section does

A Court may alter or add to any charge at any time before judgment, and must read and explain the alteration to the accused. If the alteration is unlikely to prejudice either party, the trial may continue on the altered charge; if prejudice is likely, the Court may direct a new trial or adjourn. Where the altered charge requires prior sanction for prosecution, the case cannot proceed without such sanction unless already obtained on the same facts.

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

Procedure at a glance

Key actors

Court · Accused · Prosecutor

Time limit

Alteration permissible at any time before judgment is pronounced

Derived from CrPC s.216.