Absence of complainant.
What this section does
Where proceedings were instituted on complaint and the complainant is absent on a day fixed for hearing, and the offence is compoundable or non-cognizable, the Magistrate may give the complainant thirty days to appear and thereafter, in his discretion, discharge the accused before framing of charge. This power exists notwithstanding any other provision in the Chapter.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Magistrate · Complainant · Accused
- Time limit
- 30 days given to complainant to appear before discharge may be ordered
Derived from CrPC s.249.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 272, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 272 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.