BNSS Section 10 — Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, etc

CHAPTER II CONSTITUTION OF CRIMINAL COURTS AND OFFICES

Criminal

Summary

In every district, the High Court chooses a first-class Judicial Magistrate to serve as the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The High Court can also appoint other first-class Judicial Magistrates as Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates, giving them some or all of the powers of a Chief Judicial Magistrate as the High Court decides. The High Court may also name a first-class Judicial Magistrate in a sub-division as the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate and change their duties when needed. Under the overall supervision of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, each Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate has the powers to oversee and control the work of other Judicial Magistrates (except Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates) in that sub-division, as specified by the High Court.

Official Text

(1) In every district, the High Court shall appoint a Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

(2) The High Court may appoint any Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be an Additional Chief Judicial magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have all or any of the powers of a Chief Judicial Magistrate under this Sanhita or under any other law for the time being in force as the High Court may direct.

(3) The High Court may designate any Judicial Magistrate of the first class in any sub-division as the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate and relieve him of the responsibilities specified in this section as occasion requires.

(4) Subject to the general control of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, every Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate shall also have and exercise, such powers of supervision and control over the work of the Judicial Magistrates (other than Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates) in the sub-division as the High Court may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.

Related Judgments

  • SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • CrPC §12 — Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, etc