Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 addresses the procedure for charging and trying multiple offences arising from a single series of acts or connected transactions
Text of Section 243
Trial for Multiple Offences in Same Transaction
If, in one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction, more offences than one are committed by the same person, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
Offences Related to Criminal Breach of Trust or Misappropriation
When a person charged with one or more offences of criminal breach of trust or dishonest misappropriation of property, as provided in sub-section (2) of section 235 or in sub-section (1) of section 242, is accused of committing, for the purpose of facilitating or concealing the commission of that offence or those offences, one or more offences of falsification of accounts, he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, every such offence.
Offences Falling Under Multiple Legal Definitions
If the acts alleged constitute an offence falling within two or more separate definitions of any law in force for the time being by which offences are defined or punished, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each of such offences.
Multiple Acts Constituting Different Offences
If several acts, of which one or more than one would by itself or themselves constitute an offence, constitute when combined a different offence, the person accused of them may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, the offence constituted by such acts when combined, and for any offence constituted by any one, or more, of such acts.
Effect on Section 9 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Nothing contained in this section shall affect section 9 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustrations
Illustration 1: A rescues B, a person in lawful custody, and in so doing causes grievous hurt to C, a constable in whose custody B was. A may be charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 121 and section 263 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustration 2: A commits house-breaking by day with intent to commit rape, and commits, in the house so entered, rape with B's wife. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under section 64 and sub-section (3) of section 331 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustration 3: A has in his possession several seals, knowing them to be counterfeit and intending to use them for the purpose of committing several forgeries punishable under section 337 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, the possession of each seal under sub-section (2) of section 341 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Illustration 4: With intent to cause injury to B, A institutes a criminal proceeding against him, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such proceeding, and also falsely accuses B of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, two offences under section 248 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustration 5: A, with intent to cause injury to B, falsely accuses him of having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such charge. On the trial, A gives false evidence against B, intending thereby to cause B to be convicted of a capital offence. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sections 230 and 248 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustration 6: A, with six others, commits the offences of rioting, grievous hurt and assaulting a public servant endeavouring in the discharge of his duty as such to suppress the riot. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, offences under sub-section (2) of section 117, sub-section (2) of section 191 and section 195 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Illustration 7: A threatens B, C and D at the same time with injury to their persons with intent to cause alarm to them. A may be separately charged with, and convicted of, each of the three offences under sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Significance
Efficiency in Legal Proceedings: Section 243 facilitates the consolidation of related offences into a single trial, thereby promoting judicial efficiency and reducing the burden on courts.
Prevention of Multiple Trials: By allowing multiple offences arising from the same transaction or connected acts to be tried together, this provision helps in preventing the necessity for multiple trials for the same set of facts.
Consistency with Legal Principles: The section aligns with the principle that a person should not be subjected to multiple trials for the same incident, ensuring fairness and consistency in legal proceedings.
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