Substance of accusation to be stated.
What this section does
In a summons-case, when the accused appears or is brought before the Magistrate, the particulars of the offence must be stated to the accused and the accused asked to plead guilty or state a defence; no formal charge need be framed. If the Magistrate considers the accusation groundless, the accused shall be released (with effect of discharge) after recording reasons in writing.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Magistrate · Accused
Derived from CrPC s.251.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 274, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 274 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.