BNSS Section 206 — High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place

Summary

If two or more courts have started legal proceedings for the same offence and there is confusion about which court should handle the inquiry or trial, the matter is decided by the High Court. If all the courts are under the same High Court, that High Court makes the decision. If the courts are under different High Courts, the High Court that has authority over the area where the first legal proceedings began will decide, and all other proceedings for that offence must stop.

Official Text

Where two or more Courts have taken cognizance of the same offence and a question arises as to which of them ought to inquire into or try that offence, the question shall be decided—

(a) if the Courts are subordinate to the same High Court, by that High Court;

(b) if the Courts are not subordinate to the same High Court, by the High Court within the local limits of whose appellate criminal jurisdiction the proceedings were first commenced, and thereupon all other proceedings in respect of that offence shall be discontinued.

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.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• 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.10 p.1 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §186 — High Court to decide, in case of doubt, district where inquiry or trial shall take place