BNSS Section 197 — Ordinary place of inquiry and trial

Summary

Every offence is normally investigated and decided by a court that has authority over the area where the offence actually took place. This means the court located in the same local area as the crime is the usual place for the legal process to happen.

Official Text

Every offence shall ordinarily be inquired into and tried by a Court within whose local jurisdiction it was committed.

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.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• 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.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.12 p.335 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §177 — Ordinary place of inquiry and trial