CrPC Section 228: Framing of charge
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter 18: Trail before a court of session
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ 228. Framing of charge.- (1) If, after such consideration and hearing as aforesaid, the Judge is of opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence which-
¶
(a) is not exclusively triable by the Court of Session, he may, frame a charge against the accused and, by order, transfer the case for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate *[or any other Judicial Magistrate of the first class and direct the accused to appear before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, or, as the case may be, the Judicial Magistrate of the first class, on such date as he deems fit, and thereupon such Magistrate] shall try the offence in accordance with the procedure for the trial of warrant-cases instituted on a police report;
¶(b) is exclusively triable by the Court, he shall frame in writing a charge against the accused.
¶(2) Where the Judge frames any charge under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the charge shall be read and explained to the accused and the accused shall be asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence charged or claims to be tried.
¶*[Substituted vide the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2005 for ", and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate".]
¶STATE AMENDMENTS
¶Karnataka:
¶In section 228, in clause (a), of sub-section (1), for the words "to the Chief Judicial Magistrate and hereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate" the words " to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to any Judicial Magistrates competent to try the case and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate or such other Judicial Magistrate to whom the case may have been transferred" shall be substituted.
¶[Vide Karnataka Act 22 of 1994, Section 2 (w.e.f. 18-5-1994 )]
¶West Bengal:
¶In section 228, in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 228, for the words "to the Chief Judicial Magistrate" and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate" the words "to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to any Judicial Magistrate competent to try the case, and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate or such other Judicial Magistrate to whom the case may have been transferred" shall be substituted.
¶[Vide West Bengal Act 63 of 1978, Section 3 (w.e.f . 1 -6 -1979)]
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 251 (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
- 225. Trial to be conducted by Public Prosecutor
- 226. Opening case for prosecution
- 227. Discharge
- 229. Conviction on plea of guilty
- 230. Date for prosecution evidence
- 231. Evidence for prosecution
- 232. Acquittal
- 233. Entering upon defence
- 234. Arguments
- 235. Judgment of acquittal or conviction
- 236. Previous conviction
- 237. Procedure in cases instituted under section 199(2)