BNSS Section 207 — Power to issue summons or warrant for offence committed beyond local jurisdiction

Summary

A first-class magistrate who believes someone in their area has committed an offence outside that area—but still triable in India—can investigate the case as if it happened locally. The magistrate can order that person to appear, then send them to the magistrate who has proper authority to handle the case. If the offence does not carry the death penalty or life imprisonment, and the person is willing to provide bail, the magistrate can instead take a bail bond for their appearance before the correct magistrate. If there are multiple magistrates with authority and the acting magistrate is unsure which one should handle the case, the matter must be reported to the High Court for instructions.

Official Text

(1) When a Magistrate of the first class sees reason to believe that any person within his local jurisdiction has committed outside such jurisdiction (whether within or outside India) an offence which cannot, under the provisions of sections 197 to 205 (both inclusive), or any other law for the time being in force, be inquired into or tried within such jurisdiction but is under any law for the time being in force triable in India, such Magistrate may inquire into the offence as if it had been committed within such local jurisdiction and compel such person in the manner hereinbefore provided to appear before him, and send such person to the Magistrate having jurisdiction to inquire into or try such offence, or, if such offence is not punishable with death or imprisonment for life and such person is ready and willing to give bail to the satisfaction of the Magistrate acting under this section, take a bond or bail bond for his appearance before the Magistrate having such jurisdiction.

(2) When there are more Magistrates than one having such jurisdiction and the Magistrate acting under this section cannot satisfy himself as to the Magistrate to or before whom such person should be sent or bound to appear, the case shall be reported for the orders of the High Court.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.424 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §187 — Power to issue summons or warrant for offence committed beyond local jurisdiction