CrPC Section 217: Recall of witnesses when charge altered
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter 17: The Charge
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ 217. Recall of witnesses when charge altered.- Whenever a charge is altered or added to by the Court after the commencement of the trial, the prosecutor and the accused shall be allowed
¶
(a) to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to such alteration or addition, any witness who may have been examined, unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers that the prosecutor or the accused, as the case may be, desires to recall or re-examine such witness for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice;
¶(b) also to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 240 (corresponding section). CrPC → BNSS converterSource: BPR&D BNSS–CrPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-07-03), p13
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: historical CrPC reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Section 135 was restored and individually checked against the linked government PDF (pages 75–76) on 2026-10-02; this is not a verification of the whole collection. Schedules and forms are not consolidated here. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 211. Contents of charge
- 212. Particulars as to time, place and person
- 213. When manner of committing offence must be stated
- 214. Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is punishable
- 215. Effect of errors
- 216. Court may alter charge
- 218. Separate charges for distinct offences
- 219. Three offences of same kind within year may be charged together
- 220. Trial for more than one offence
- 221. Where it is doubtful what offence has been committed
- 222. When offence proved included in offence charged
- 223. What persons may be charged jointly
- 224. Withdrawal of remaining charges on conviction on one of several charges