Section 290 BNSS : Plea Bargaining Process .

---

Introduction to Section 290 BNSS

Section 290 BNSS talks about the process of plea bargaining in criminal cases. Plea bargaining allows an accused person to admit guilt voluntarily for getting a lesser punishment. It also helps courts settle small cases faster. This process must be done with honesty and free will by the accused, ensuring justice for both accused and victim.

---

---

What is BNSS Section 290 ?

BNSS Section 290 explains the procedure of plea bargaining in criminal cases. It gives an accused person the right to request a lesser punishment by admitting guilt voluntarily. The accused must apply within 30 days after charges are framed. This process ensures faster resolution and fair compensation to victims.

---

---

BNSS Section of 290 in Simple Points

1. Application Process and Time Limit

BNSS 290 allows any accused to apply for plea bargaining after the court frames charges. This application must be filed within 30 days of the charges being framed. It helps the accused to admit guilt early to avoid a lengthy trial. The application must include details about the case and the offence. Along with this, an affidavit is required where the accused accepts responsibility. The affidavit should confirm that the plea is made voluntarily and that the accused understands the punishment. This keeps the process fair and honest.

2. Role of the Court and Private Hearing

Once the application under BNSS 290 is filed, the court will issue notices to the public prosecutor or the complainant. After that, a private hearing (in-camera) is conducted where only the judge and the accused are present. This ensures that the plea is truly voluntary, and the accused is not under pressure. The court checks if the accused has already been convicted for the same offence. If satisfied, the court allows further discussion for a fair settlement. If not satisfied, the regular trial process continues.

3. Settlement Between Accused and Victim

If the court accepts the plea bargaining application under BNSS 290, it gives up to 60 days for the accused and the complainant or public prosecutor to reach an agreement. This agreement may include compensation to the victim for the harm caused. Apart from compensation, it may also include expenses of the case. This helps both the victim and the accused to avoid long trials. The purpose is to encourage early settlement and reduce pending cases. It is a helpful tool in cases of minor or non-serious offences.

4. Rejection of Application by Court

BNSS 290 is strict about making sure the plea is fair. If the court finds that the accused is not making the application voluntarily or if the accused has previously been convicted of the same offence, the court will reject the application. After that, the case will continue as a regular trial under BNSS rules. This is important to stop misuse of the plea bargaining system. The court’s role here is to protect both the accused and the victim by ensuring justice is done.

5. Benefits of Plea Bargaining

BNSS 290 benefits both the accused and the victim. The accused gets a chance for a reduced punishment, while the victim may receive early compensation. For courts, it helps reduce the burden of cases and ensures faster delivery of justice. It saves time, effort, and resources for everyone involved. Plea bargaining also helps avoid unnecessary delays in minor criminal cases. Overall, BNSS 290 makes the justice system more efficient and victim-friendly.

---

Section 290 of BNSS Overview

BNSS 290 introduces a time-bound process for applying plea bargaining. The accused gets 30 days after charges are framed to file the application. It includes an affidavit by the accused to prove that he understands the punishment. The court holds a private hearing (in-camera) to confirm that the application is genuine. Plea bargaining saves court time and provides early compensation to victims.

BNSS Section 290: 10 Key Points Explained

1) Right to Apply for Plea Bargaining under BNSS 290

BNSS 290 gives the legal right to an accused person to apply for plea bargaining if they are facing trial for certain eligible offences. This application should be made within 30 days from the date when charges are framed in the court. Plea bargaining allows the accused to accept guilt in return for a lighter punishment. It helps in reducing the burden on the courts by settling minor cases faster. The main focus of this section is to encourage voluntary admission of guilt. However, it is not allowed for serious crimes or repeat offenders. This right empowers both courts and accused persons to reach quick solutions.

2) Important Details Required in Plea Bargaining Application

The application filed under BNSS 290 should have a brief description of the case. It must clearly mention the offence involved, along with a sworn affidavit by the accused. The affidavit should confirm that the accused is filing the plea voluntarily, fully understanding the punishment involved under the law. Also, the accused must declare that he or she has not been previously convicted for the same offence earlier. These safeguards prevent misuse of the plea bargaining process. It ensures that the accused is fully aware of their legal position. This written affidavit strengthens the transparency of the process.

3) Role of Court after Receiving Plea Bargaining Application

Once the court receives a plea bargaining application under BNSS 290, it must send notices to the Public Prosecutor or complainant and to the accused. The notice must mention a fixed date for everyone to appear before the court. The idea behind this process is to bring all concerned parties together to evaluate the request. By officially informing everyone, the court ensures that the plea bargaining is not done secretly. This public and transparent notice allows the victim, prosecutor, and accused to express their views properly. It safeguards the rights of the victim as well during the hearing.

4) Court’s Examination of the Accused in Camera

BNSS 290 also clearly states that before deciding, the court must conduct an in-camera examination of the accused. This means the court talks to the accused privately, without the other parties present. The main purpose is to confirm that the application was made voluntarily, without any pressure or force from others. If the judge is convinced that the plea is truly voluntary, the court allows both parties up to 60 days to work out a fair settlement. This includes possible compensation to the victim. Privacy, fairness, and protection of the accused’s rights are central to this step.

5) Rejection of Involuntary Plea Bargaining Applications

If during the in-camera hearing the court finds that the application was filed involuntarily, or that the accused was previously convicted for the same offence, then the application must be rejected. After that, the trial will continue normally from where the plea application was made. This ensures that only genuine and first-time offenders can benefit from plea bargaining. It prevents criminals from using plea bargaining as a tool to escape punishment repeatedly. This step in BNSS 290 makes sure that justice is not compromised, while also protecting the integrity of the judicial system.

6) 30-Day Time Limit for Filing Plea Bargaining

BNSS 290 sets a clear 30-day deadline for filing the plea bargaining application. This time limit starts from the day the charges are officially framed by the court. If the accused fails to file the application within this time, the chance for plea bargaining is lost. The time limit ensures that the process is fast and efficient, avoiding unnecessary delays. This makes sure that small cases are quickly resolved. The time-bound nature of this provision keeps both the court and the accused focused and responsible about their actions and decisions.

7) Opportunity for Victim’s Compensation

One of the important features of BNSS 290 is that plea bargaining may include a mutually agreed settlement for compensating the victim. This compensation could cover expenses, damages, or harm caused by the accused. The court allows both sides up to 60 days to reach a fair decision. Giving compensation provides justice to the victim in cases where monetary harm or minor injuries were caused. It also helps restore social harmony by resolving disputes quickly and fairly. Plea bargaining is therefore not only for reducing punishment but also for making up for the loss caused to the victim.

8) Safeguarding Against Repeat Offenders

BNSS 290 prevents the use of plea bargaining for those who are habitual offenders. If the accused has been previously convicted for the same offence, then they cannot use plea bargaining again for that offence. This safeguard prevents misuse by people who may otherwise try to commit small offences again and again expecting reduced punishment each time. The court strictly checks the accused’s criminal history to make sure they are eligible. By protecting against repeat offenders, BNSS 290 maintains justice and fairness in the legal system.

9) Role of Prosecutor and Complainant in Decision Making

In BNSS 290, the Public Prosecutor or the complainant also play a very important role. They can agree or disagree with the accused’s proposal for plea bargaining. The court must give them time to discuss and work on a satisfactory settlement. Their involvement makes sure that the victim’s side is heard before any reduced sentence is approved. This step maintains balance and fairness in the justice process. The court acts as a neutral authority to guide and protect the interests of both the accused and the complainant throughout the process.

10) Importance of BNSS 290 for Speedy Justice

BNSS 290 helps to deliver speedy justice by offering an alternative to long trials in small cases. By encouraging guilty persons to accept responsibility in minor cases, courts can focus on more serious criminal matters. It benefits everyone — the court saves time, the accused gets a reduced sentence, and victims get early compensation. Plea bargaining is an effective tool to reduce the backlog of cases in Indian courts. It shows the Indian legal system’s move toward efficient, modern justice methods, focusing on fairness and quick results.

Example 1:
Ramesh is caught for causing minor injury in a fight. Instead of a long trial, he applies for plea bargaining under BNSS 290. The court agrees after private hearing, and Ramesh pays compensation to the victim.

Example 2:
Sita is charged for minor shoplifting. She files for plea bargaining under BNSS 290, accepting guilt. The shopkeeper agrees, and she pays for the damages. The court then gives a reduced punishment.

---

Section 290 of BNSS Short Information

---

BNSS Section 290 FAQs

BNSS 290

---

Conclusion

BNSS Section 290 lays down a detailed and time-bound procedure for plea bargaining. It ensures that applications are voluntary, genuine, and filed within 30 days of charge framing. The court conducts a private hearing, offers a 60-day settlement window, and protects victims’ rights. It supports quicker resolution of minor cases and reduces the burden on courts without compromising fairness.

---

Need Legal Support?

If you are dealing with court cases, marriage problems, or any other legal issue, our team at Marriage Solution – Lawyer Help is here for you. Simply fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we’ll connect you with the right legal expert to support your needs .

---

Finished with BNSS Section 290 ? Continue reading the next sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Each section is explained in easy words, with simple examples, so anyone can understand it clearly.

• Section 291 BNSS : Guidelines for mutually satisfactory disposition.
• Section 292 BNSS : Submission of Report on Satisfactory Case Settlement to Court .
• Section 293 BNSS : Courts Dispose Cases After Plea Bargaining .
• Section 294 BNSS : Open Court Judgment After Plea Bargaining .

Full BNSS Section List: https://marriagesolution.in/bnss_section-list/

Full BNS Section List: https://marriagesolution.in/bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita-section-list/

Full IPC Section List: https://marriagesolution.in/ipc-section-list

All Indian Law & Blogs: https://marriagesolution.in/indian-law/

---

Need Legal Help? Speak to an Experienced Lawyer Now.

Name *

Email Address *

Phone0 / 10

Text *

Select StateMaharashtraAndhra PradeshArunachal PradeshAssamBiharChhattisgarhGoaGujaratHaryanaHimachal PradeshJammu and KashmirJharkhandKarnatakaKeralaMadhya PradeshManipurMeghalayaMizoramNagalandOdishaPunjabRajasthanSikkimTamil NaduTelanganaTripuraUttar PradeshUttarakhandWest BengalSelect your State

Select District from MaharashtraSelect District from MaharashtraAhmednagarAkolaAmravatiAurangabadBeedBuldhanaChandrapurDhuleGadchiroliGondiaHingoliJalgaonJalnaKolhapurLaturMumbai CityMumbaiNagpurNandedNandurbarNashikOsmanabadPalgharParbhaniPuneRaigadRatnagiriSangliSataraSindhudurgSolapurThaneWardhaWashimYavatmalSelect District from Maharashtra

Select District from GujaratSelect District from GujaratAhmedabadAmreliAnandAravalliBanaskanthaBharuchBhavnagarBotadChhota UdaipurDahodDangDevbhoomi DwarkaGandhinagarGir SomnathJamnagarJunagadhKutchKhedaMahisagarMehsanaMorbiNarmadaNavsariPanchmahalPatanPorbandarRajkotSabarkanthaSuratSurendranagarTapiVadodaraValsad

Send Message