BNSS Section 276 — Conviction on plea of guilty in absence of accused in petty cases

CHAPTER XXI TRIAL OF SUMMONS-CASES BY MAGISTRATES

Criminal

Summary

If a person receives a summons for a petty case and wants to plead guilty without going to court, they can send a letter by post or messenger to the Magistrate stating their plea, along with the fine amount mentioned in the summons. The Magistrate may then choose to convict the person in their absence and order them to pay that fine, using the amount already sent. If the person has authorized a lawyer to plead guilty on their behalf, the Magistrate will record the lawyer’s words and may also convict the person and impose the fine.

Official Text

(1) Where a summons has been issued under section 229 and the accused desires to plead guilty to the charge without appearing before the Magistrate, he shall transmit to the Magistrate, by post or by messenger, a letter containing his plea and also the amount of fine specified in the summons.

(2) The Magistrate may, in his discretion, convict the accused in his absence, on his plea of guilty and sentence him to pay the fine specified in the summons, and the amount transmitted by the accused shall be adjusted towards that fine, or where an advocate authorised by the accused in this behalf pleads guilty on behalf of the accused, the Magistrate shall record the plea as nearly as possible in the words used by the advocate and may, in his discretion, convict the accused on such plea and sentence him as aforesaid.

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)
  • .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2024) Vol.12 p.335 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • CrPC §253 — Conviction on plea of guilty in absence of accused in petty cases