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.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2024) Vol.12 p.335 — 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.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

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