BNSS Section 209 — Receipt of evidence relating to offences committed outside India

Summary

If an alleged crime happened outside India and is being investigated or tried in India under a specific legal provision, the Central Government can choose to allow the court to accept copies of witness statements or physical or electronic evidence that were originally submitted before a judicial officer or an Indian diplomatic or consular official in that foreign territory. This can be done in any case where the court would otherwise have the power to issue a formal request to gather that evidence.

Official Text

When any offence alleged to have been committed in a territory outside India is being inquired into or tried under the provisions of section 208, the Central Government may, if it thinks fit, direct that copies of depositions made or exhibits produced, either in physical form or in electronic form, before a judicial officer, in or for that territory or before a diplomatic or consular representative of India in or for that territory shall be received as evidence by the Court holding such inquiry or trial in any case in which such Court might issue a commission for taking evidence as to the matters to which such depositions or exhibits relate.

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)
• .. 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.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §189 — Receipt of evidence relating to offences committed outside India