BNSS Section 291 — Guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition

CHAPTER XXIII PLEA BARGAINING

Criminal

Summary

When a court is helping the parties reach a voluntary agreement to resolve a case, it must follow a specific procedure. If the case was started based on a police report, the court must call a meeting with the public prosecutor, the investigating police officer, the accused person, and the victim. The court must make sure everyone takes part freely and willingly, and the accused may bring their lawyer if they wish. If the case was started in any other way, the court must call a meeting with only the accused and the victim, again ensuring their participation is voluntary, and either party may bring their lawyer.

Official Text

In working out a mutually satisfactory disposition under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 290, the Court shall follow the following procedure, namely:—

(a) in a case instituted on a police report, the Court shall issue notice to the Public Prosecutor, the police officer who has investigated the case, the accused and the victim of the case to participate in the meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case:

Provided that throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure that the entire process is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting:

Provided further that the accused, if he so desires, may participate in such meeting with his advocate, if any, engaged in the case;

(b) in a case instituted otherwise than on police report, the Court shall issue notice to the accused and the victim of the case to participate in a meeting to work out a satisfactory disposition of the case:

Provided that it shall be the duty of the Court to ensure, throughout such process of working out a satisfactory disposition of the case, that it is completed voluntarily by the parties participating in the meeting:

Provided further that if the victim of the case or the accused so desires, he may participate in such meeting with his advocate engaged in the case.

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.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • .. 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.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • CrPC §265C — Guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition