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Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XIV: Jurisdiction Of The Criminal Courts In Inquiries And Trials

Section 198 BNSS: Place of inquiry or trial

Corresponding CrPC
Section 178 CrPC

Bare Act text

(a) When it is uncertain in which of several local areas an offence was committed; or

(b) where an offence is committed partly in one local area and partly in another; or

(c) where an offence is a continuing one, and continues to be committed in more local areas than one; or

(d) where it consists of several acts done in different local areas, it may be inquired into or tried by a Court having jurisdiction over any of such local areas.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Allows an offence to be inquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over any of several local areas when it is uncertain in which one it was committed, when it was committed partly in one area and partly in another, when it is continuing in several areas, or when it consists of several acts in different areas.

Chapter XIV: Jurisdiction Of The Criminal Courts In Inquiries And Trials

  1. 197 Ordinary place of inquiry and trial
  2. 198 Place of inquiry or trial
  3. 199 Offence triable where act is done or consequence ensues
  4. 200 Place of trial where act is an offence by reason of relation to other offence
  5. 201 Place of trial in case of certain offences
  6. 202 Offences committed by means of electronic communications, letters, etc
  7. 203 Offence committed on journey or voyage
  8. 204 Place of trial for offences triable together
  9. 205 Power to order cases to be tried in different sessions divisions
  10. 206 High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place
  11. 207 Power to issue summons or warrant for offence committed beyond local jurisdiction
  12. 208 Offence committed outside India
  13. 209 Receipt of evidence relating to offences committed outside India