BNSS · Section 259 · Chapter XIX — TRIAL BEFORE A COURT OF SESSION

Previous conviction.

What this section does

Where a previous conviction is charged under section 234(7) and the accused does not admit it, the Sessions Judge may, after convicting the accused under section 252 or 258, take evidence on the alleged previous conviction and record a finding. The previous conviction charge shall not be read out, the accused shall not be asked to plead to it, and it shall not be referred to by the prosecution until after conviction.

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

Procedure at a glance

Key actors: Sessions Judge · Accused · Prosecution

Old-law correspondence

Derived from CrPC s.236.

Read the official text

For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 259, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.

Why this matters

BNSS Section 259 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.