What are the powers of magistrate under BNSS?

Asked by: Ms. Brielle Ratke DVM  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (12 votes)

The document outlines the powers of Executive Magistrates under the BNSS, detailing 24 specific powers along with their corresponding sections. These powers include arrest, compelling appearance, search and seizure, and dispersing unlawful assemblies.

What authority does a Magistrate have?

In addition to arrest warrants, magistrates also have authority to issue summonses. A summons notifies a person that an action has been brought against him or her and that he or she is required to answer to it at a time and place named in the summons.

What is the power of Magistrate to take cognizance under BNSS?

Section 210 (1) (b) BNSS (S.190 (1) (b) Cr.P.C.), provides that the Magistrate may take cognizance of any offence upon a “Police Report” of such facts which constitutes the offence. As per this provision the Magistrate takes cognizance of an “offence” and not the “offender”.

What are the powers of magistrates?

Magistrates have sentencing powers that allow them to impose a range of sentences, including unlimited fines, bans, community orders and up to 6 months' custody, depending on the offence. Find out more about the different types of sentence and see the guidelines for sentencing offences in magistrates' courts.

What is Section 25 of the BNSS?

Section 25(1) of the BNSS, 2023, grants the court significant discretion when sentencing an individual convicted of multiple offences in the same trial. It allows the court to decide the manner in which these punishments will be served.

Power Of Criminal Courts | BNSS 2023 | Apurva Sharma

37 related questions found

What is Section 27 of the BNSS?

BNS Section 27 - Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person with unsound mind, by or by consent of guardian.

What is Section 448 of the BNSS?

(1) Whenever it is made to appear to a Sessions Judge that an order under this sub-section is expedient for the ends of justice, he may order that any particular case be transferred from one Criminal Court to another Criminal Court in his sessions division.

What are the three duties of a magistrate?

Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but aren't limited to: conducting impartial hearings for searches, arrests, civil issues, bail and temporary detentions. finding and applying facts to relevant legal principles. maintaining order in the courtroom during all hearings.

Who is more powerful, a judge or a magistrate?

A Magistrate lacks the authority that a Judge does. A Judge has more authority than a Magistrate. It's possible for a Magistrate to lack a legal degree. He or she is always a law-degree official.

Can a magistrate make a ruling?

Additionally, the magistrate judge will rule on all issues, including discovery disputes, dispositive motions, and motions in limine, and will preside over any jury or bench trial in the case.

What are the duties of a magistrate?

The role of magistrate is to oversee the course of investigation and prevent abuse of law by investigating agency. However, you must understand that your role is complementary to that of police. In doing so, you must preside without fear or favour.

What is the scope of Section 223 of the BNSS?

The proviso to section 223 of the BNSS requires that in a criminal complaint, after examining the complainant and the witnesses on oath, but before taking cognizance of an offence, the magistrate must issue a notice to the accused, giving them the opportunity to be heard.

Who is more powerful, DC or magistrate?

Ans. The District Magistrate (DM) is more powerful in terms of law and order and judicial functions, while the District Collector holds higher authority in revenue and land-related matters. Ans. Anandaram Baruah was the first District Magistrate (DM) of India.

Are magistrates higher than judges?

Circuit court judges are credited to have more powers than a magistrate and oversee more complicated matters such as criminal cases, high-priority cases and constitutional cases at the federal, state or county level.

Does a magistrate need to be a lawyer?

Many magistrates start as lawyers or legal assistants and gain experience in different areas of law such as criminal, civil or family law. With enough experience, they may apply to become Magistrate, which is usually appointed by the government.

What cases do magistrates typically handle?

What kind of civil cases does Magistrate Court hear?

  • Claim and delivery (procedures to recover personal property)
  • Evictions.
  • Issuing restraining orders.
  • Landlord/tenant disputes.
  • Public sales on abandoned property.
  • Summons and complaint (disputes over money, services, etc. valued at $7,500 or less)

What power does a magistrate have?

With consent of defendants, a Magistrate Judge may preside in Class A misdemeanor cases, including conducting jury trials. Although Magistrate Judges do not preside at felony trials, they are authorized to conduct preliminary and post-conviction proceedings in felony cases.

How powerful is a magistrate?

In many state court systems in the United States, magistrate courts are the successor to Justice of the Peace courts, and frequently have authority to handle the trials of civil cases up to a certain dollar amount at issue, applications for bail, arrest and search warrants, and the adjudication of petty or misdemeanor ...

Who is the most powerful person in the courtroom?

Courtroom Authority: The Judge's Realm. The courtroom is where judges have the most power. They control the trial, the evidence, and how things are done. Prosecutors lead at the start, but judges take over once the trial begins.

Is a magistrate a real judge?

Answer: A United States Magistrate Judge is a judicial officer who serves the United States District Court pursuant to a statutory appointment process rather than the presidential nomination and senate confirmation process used to appoint District Judges under Article III of the Constitution.

What are the advantages of magistrates?

A widely perceived strength of magistrates was their greater connection with the local community as compared with District Judges, meaning that they were felt to be better placed to make judgments and dispense appropriate “local justice”. Other perceived strengths of magistrates relate to the concept of “fairness”.

Can a magistrate be fired?

(i) Removal of a magistrate judge during the term for which he is appointed shall be only for incompetency, misconduct, neglect of duty, or physical or mental disability, but a magistrate judge's office shall be terminated if the conference determines that the services performed by his office are no longer needed.

What is Section 52 of the BNSS?

Section 52 Examination of person accused of rape by medical practitioner. rape or an attempt to commit rape, he shall be medically examined by a Registered Medical Practitioner at the request of a police officer.

What is Section 144 of the BNSS?

Sec. 144 BNSS is a social welfare legislation meant for benefit of destitute women and the operation of the same should not be allowed to be obstructed or hindered because of pleas about marriage being void, voidable or irregular.

What is Section 75 of the BNSS?

(1) The Chief Judicial Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class may direct a warrant to any person within his local jurisdiction for the arrest of any escaped convict, proclaimed offender or of any person who is accused of a non-bailable offence and is evading arrest.