When accused is discharged
Emma Valentine
Published Apr 08, 2026
If, upon due consideration of the police report and all the documents sent under Section 173 along with examination of the accused, if any, as Magistrate thinks obligatory and after hearing prosecution as well as accused, the Magistrate considers the charge to be groundless against the accused, he shall discharge the …
Is discharge of an accused a Judgement?
The right of an accused to seek discharge before framing of charges in a criminal case is ‘valuable’, the Supreme Court has held in a judgment. “The trial court while considering the discharge application [of the accused] is not to act as a mere post office,” a three-judge Bench led by Chief JusticeN. V. Ramana said.
What is difference between discharge and acquittal?
Acquittal is a verdict in the criminal case that the accused is not guilty of the offence. On the other hand, discharge is an order given by the Magistrate that there are not enough grounds to lead the proceedings further against the accused.
What are the effects of the discharge of an accused?
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE DISCHARGE? sworn statement constituting the basis of the discharge. In this case, he can be prosecuted again and his admission can be used against him.Can accused be discharged in summons case?
The trial of summons case is dealt under Chapter XX of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (hereinafter “CrPC”). There is no special section which exclusively provides for discharge of an accused in summons triable cases.
When can the accused be discharged from trial?
Under Section 227 the trial Judge is required to discharge the accused if he considers that there is not sufficient ground for proceeding against the accused Obligation to discharge the accused under Section 239 arises when “the Magistrate considers the charge against the accused to be groundless.” The power to …
What is discharge application?
Discharge application is the remedy provided to the person who has been charged maliciously. If the false allegations have been made against him, he can file an application for discharge. He is entitled to acquittal if the evidence provided to the court is not sufficient to prove the offence.
Can chargesheet be filed in absence of accused?
The Supreme Court has held that it is not necessary to arrest the accused at the time of filing chargesheet. The Supreme Court has said that it is not necessary to arrest the accused at the time of filing of chargesheet, particularly if the police has not seen it fit to arrest them during the course of investigation.What do you mean by discharge under CRPC?
Under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, the Discharge Application is the remedy that is granted to the person who has been maliciously charged. … If the evidence given before the Court is not sufficient to satisfy the offence and in the absence of any prima facie case against him, he is entitled to be discharged.
What is evidence before charge?It reads as “ Evidence for prosecution. – (1) When, in any warrant-case instituted otherwise than on a police report, the accused appears or is brought before a Magistrate, the Magistrate shall proceed to hear the prosecution and take all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution.
Article first time published onWhat are the effects of the discharge of an accused as state witness?
Evidence adduced in support of the discharge shall automatically form part of the trial. If the court denies the motion for discharge of the accused as state witness, his sworn statement shall be inadmissible in evidence.
What happens after framing of charges?
After the charges are framed then the Prosecution(State) will lead evidence, the Prosecution Witness will appear in court and will depose and then you can cross examine them, after all the witnesses are examined then you can give your statement and lead the witness and then the court will pronounce its judgement.
What is the difference between release and discharge?
As verbs the difference between release and discharge is that release is to let go (of); to cease to hold or contain or release can be to lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back while discharge is to accomplish or complete, as an obligation.
What is difference between inquiry and investigation?
Difference between Investigation and Inquiry Object: The object of investigation is to collect the evidence related to the case, whereas the object of inquiry is to determine the truth or falsity of certain facts related to the offence, in order to take a further step.
Is a summons the same as a complaint?
A summons is a written notice, which usually is accompanied by the complaint, notifying the defendant and the court that the complaint has been served on all relevant parties and listing the date of the first court appearance for the lawsuit.
What is a discharge in court?
A discharge is a type of sentence imposed by a court whereby no punishment is imposed. An absolute discharge is an unconditional discharge whereby the court finds that a crime has technically been committed but that any punishment of the defendant would be inappropriate and the case is closed.
What happens after chargesheet is filed?
The counsel for the-accused stated that as a matter of routine by lower-courts, once the chargesheet is filed, the accused is arrested by the Investigating-Officers or sent to custody by the courts themselves even if a person is not arrested during investigation; thus he was constrained to defy the summon and apply for …
Can police withdraw chargesheet?
Once it is registered as criminal case the police cannot withdraw it however they can an application withdrawing from the prosecution on technical grounds upon permission given by the Government.
What are the rights of accused under CRPC?
Accused rights include the right to fair trial, get bail, hire a criminal lawyer, free legal aid in India, and more. As per the legal principle, one is considered innocent until proven guilty. The legal maxim reads out – “ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat”.
How do I know if my chargesheet is filed?
When the chargesheet is filed in the court the police will intimate you regarding the same. If they do not you can ask the concerned IO whether he has filed the chargesheet in the concerned matter or not. The mandatory period for filling a chargesheet is 60-90 days but can be extended.
What is the time limit to file chargesheet?
Is There Any Time Bar For Filing Charge-Sheet? The time limit to file charge sheet is related to arrest of the accused in the case. The charge sheet is to be filed within 60 days from the date of arrest of the accused in cases triable by lower courts and 90 days in cases triable by Court of Sessions.
Can accused ask for further investigation?
The Court can exercise the power to order further investigation under Section 173(8) of CrPC and such petition filed by the Public Prosecutor can only be treated as an application seeking to invite the attention of the Court regarding the necessity to invoke the power of the Court under Section 173(8) of CrPC.
What CrPC 200?
200- Examination of complainant – A magistrate taking cognizance of an offence on complaint shall, examine upon oath the complainant and witnesses present, if any and the substance of such examination shall be reduced into writing and shall be signed by the complainant and witnesses and also by the magistrate.
At what stage an accused is examined in a criminal trial?
Power of court to examine the accused person After closure of the prosecution evidence and before the accused is called upon to enter into his defense, the court is under obligation to examine the accused in respect of the evidence available against him.
What CrPC 94?
CrPC Section 94 – Search of place suspected to contain stolen property, forged documents, etc.
What happens if a witness refuses to testify?
However, refusing to go to court and testify means you are in contempt of court, a misdemeanor crime that is punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or up to 1 year in jail. Before charging you for contempt of court, the court may issue a body attachment which is like a warrant for your arrest.
What are the requirements before an accused be discharged to be a state witness?
- The discharge must be WITH THE CONSENT OF THE ACCUSED sought to be a state witness.
- There is ABSOLUTE NECESSITY for the testimony of the accused whose discharge is requested;
Can a witness be charged with a crime Philippines?
Any Witness admitted into the Program cannot refuse to testify or give evidence or produce books, documents, records or writings necessary for the prosecution of the offense or offenses for which he has been admitted into the Program on the ground of the constitutional right against self-incrimination but he shall …
When special summons are issued the accused may appear?
If, in the opinion of a Magistrate/ Metropolitan Magistrates taking cognizance of a petty offence, the case may be summarily disposed of under section 260 of Crpc, the Magistrate/ Metropolitan Magistrates shall, except where he is, for reasons to be recorded in, writing, of a contrary opinion, issue summons to the …
How charges are framed under CRPC?
Framing of charge in CRPC is at the stage when the police has completed its investigation and submitted the charge sheet alleging the offense against the accused person. The court thereafter scrutinizes the charge sheet and proposes to frame charge against the accused person.
How charges are framed in the trial before a court of session?
Under Section 228, The Judge after considering the records of the case and the documents submitted along with it in evidence and hearing the prosecution and the defence, he thinks that there is a ground to presume that the accused has committed the offence and is exclusively triable by the Court of Session, he will …