CrPC Section 218: Separate charges for distinct offences
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter 17: The Charge
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ 218. Separate charges for distinct offences.- (1) For every distinct offence of which any person is accused there shall be a separate charge and every such charge shall be tried separately:
¶Provided that where the accused person, by an application in writing, so desires and the Magistrate is of opinion that such person is not likely to be prejudiced thereby the Magistrate may try together all or any number of the charges framed against such person.
¶(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall affect the operation of the provisions of sections 219, 220, 221 and 223.
¶Illustration
¶A is accused of a theft on one occasion, and of causing grievous hurt on another occasion. A must be separately charged and separately tried for the theft and causing grievous hurt.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 241 (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
- 217. Recall of witnesses when charge altered
- 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