BNSS Section 525 — Cases in which Judge or Magistrate is personally interested

Summary

A judge or magistrate cannot hear or decide a case in which they are a party or have a personal interest, unless a higher court that can hear appeals from their court gives permission. They also cannot hear an appeal against a judgment or order that they themselves passed. However, a judge or magistrate is not considered a party or personally interested simply because they are acting in their official capacity, or because they have visited the place where an offence or other important event in the case is said to have happened and made inquiries about the case.

Official Text

No Judge or Magistrate shall, except with the permission of the Court to which an appeal lies from his Court, try or commit for trial any case to or in which he is a party, or personally interested, and no Judge or Magistrate shall hear an appeal from any judgment or order passed or made by himself.

Explanation.—A Judge or Magistrate shall not be deemed to be a party to, or personally interested in, any case by reason only that he is concerned therein in a public capacity, or by reason only that he has viewed the place in which an offence is alleged to have been committed, or any other place in which any other transaction material to the case is alleged to have occurred, and made an inquiry in connection with 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)
• .. 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.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §479 — Cases in which Judge or Magistrate is personally interested