BNSS Section 340 — Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended

Summary

Any person who is accused of a crime in a criminal court, or against whom legal proceedings are started under this law, has the right to be defended by a lawyer they choose.

Official Text

Any person accused of an offence before a Criminal Court, or against whom proceedings are instituted under this Sanhita, may of right be defended by an advocate of his choice.

Referred to by

• BNSS §215 — Prosecution for contempt of lawful authority of public servants, for offences against public justice and for offences relating to documents given in evidence
• BNSS §243 — Trial for more than one offence

Related Judgments

• AMANDEEP GILL & ANR vs THE STATE GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI — Delhi High Court (2024)
• Mr. Dushyant K. Mahant, Mr. Deepak; Dhyani, Ms. Anshima Puri & Mr.; Ka vs MS. RASHI SANTOSH SONI & ANR — Delhi High Court (2024)
• JASWINDER SINGH vs GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI — Delhi High Court (2025)
• Mr.; Priyansh; Sharma; Ms.; Shivangi; Mayaramka, Mr. Shrenik Jain; Adv vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS — Delhi High Court (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §303 — Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended