BNSS Section 237 — Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is punishable

Summary

When a charge is written against someone, the words used to describe the offence must be understood according to the meaning given to them by the law that makes that act a crime. This means the charge uses the legal definitions from that specific law, not everyday or other meanings.

Official Text

In every charge words used in describing an offence shall be deemed to have been used in the sense attached to them respectively by the law under which such offence is punishable.

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 (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — 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.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §214 — Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is punishable