Acquittal or conviction.
What this section does
After taking evidence under section 277 (and any further evidence the Magistrate causes to be produced of his own motion), the Magistrate shall record an order of acquittal if the accused is found not guilty, or pass sentence according to law if found guilty (unless ss. 364/401 apply). The Magistrate may convict the accused of any offence triable under this Chapter that is proved or admitted on the facts, regardless of the nature of the complaint or summons, provided the accused would not be prejudiced.
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.255.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 278, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 278 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.