Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XIV: Jurisdiction Of The Criminal Courts In Inquiries And Trials

Section 206 BNSS: High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place

Corresponding CrPC: Section 186 CrPC

Bare Act text

Where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence, the question shall be decided—

(a) if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, by that High Court;

(b) if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced, and thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.

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

Provides that when two or more courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and it is unclear which should try it, the High Court decides. It is the common High Court if the courts are subordinate to the same one, otherwise the High Court in whose appellate jurisdiction proceedings were first commenced, and other proceedings are then discontinued.