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Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)- Introduction & History | CrPC Notes

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) was enacted after the administration of India was taken over by the British crown. The act was enacted in 1861 after the rebellion of 1857 and was later amended in 1872, 1882, and 1898. The CrPC provides machinery for investigating a crime, apprehending those who are suspected criminals, collecting evidence, and determining the guilt or innocence of those who are accused of a crime. The CrPC also deals with instances of public nuisances, prevention of offenses, and cases of maintenance of wife, parents, or child.

The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) consists of 565 sections, 5 schedules, and 56 forms. Each of these sections is divided into 46 chapters. In this article, we have covered CrPC Notes which cover all the information related to this particular topic.

What Is CrPC?

The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) applies to all of India, and after the revocation of article 370, it is also applicable to the areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, the provisions of the Act do not apply to the state of Nagaland and any tribal areas. The bodies which function under the code are the Supreme court of India, high courts, district, and sessions judges and additional district judges, judicial magistrates, executive magistrates, police prosecutors, police, defense counsels, and correctional services personnel.

History Of CrPC

Following the Muslim-imposed law in medieval India, Mohammedan Criminal Law became the norm. Under the Regulating Act of 1773, which was issued by the British monarchs, a Supreme Court was formed in Calcutta, and later, in Madras and Bombay. The Supreme Court was required to decide cases involving subjects of the Crown using British procedural law.

CrPC Notes

Following the 1857 Rebellion, the crown assumed control of India’s administration. The British parliament approved the Indian Penal Code in 1861. The CrPC was initially established in 1882, revised in 1898, and then in accordance with the 41st Law Commission report in 1973.

Classification of Offences under CrPC

As per the CRPC Bare Act, there is a specific classification for offenses under the code. Offenses are characterized as either cognizable or non-cognizable.

  • Cognizable Offences: According to the first schedule of the code, cognizable offenses are those for which a law enforcement officer may make an arrest without a court-issued warrant. Crimes are reportable under section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
  • Non-Cognizable Offences: In general, non-cognizable offenses are considered to be less serious than cognizable ones. The law enforcement officer may only make an arrest in non-cognizable circumstances after receiving the proper authorization from a warrant. Non-cognizable offenses reported in accordance with Section 155 Cr.P.C. For these, the magistrate has the authority to file a complaint under section 190 Cr.P.C. The Magistrate has the authority to order the police to file the case, conduct an investigation, and present the challan or report for dismissal under section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Arrest and Bail under the CrPC

As per the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), there is a specific classification for offenses under the code. Offenses are characterized as either cognizable or non-cognizable. Cognizable offenses are those types of offenses for which an arrest can be made without a warrant, while a non-cognizable offense is one where a police officer will need the warrant to make an arrest. In general, the latter is less serious than the former type of offense.

  • As per the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), bail means the process of procuring the release of an accused person who is charged with an offense. Bail is granted by ensuring future attendance in the court for trial. A bail also compels the accused to remain within the fixed jurisdiction of the court.
  • The CrPC has been amended several times to include various provisions within its ambit. It was amended as recently as 2014 for legislation of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
  • The act’s provisions also consist of details regarding sentences that the magistrates may pass, details regarding bail, summary trials, judgment, and appeal. Based on the hierarchy of criminal courts, matters may be heard in the applicable court of law and decided as per the provisions of the CRPC Bare Act.

Trial under CrPC

  1. Sessions Case: A Sessions case is a serious criminal offense that is triable by a Court of Sessions. A Sessions case begins with the framing of charges by the Sessions Judge and may be tried by a jury or by the judge alone. The trial is conducted in a formal manner, and the accused has the right to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, produce evidence in his defense, and make arguments in his favor.
  2. Summons Case: A Summons case is a less serious criminal offense that is triable by a Magistrate. The accused is summoned to appear before the Magistrate, and the trial is conducted in a summary manner.
  3. Warrants Case: A Warrants case is a criminal offense that is punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding two years. The accused is arrested and produced before the Magistrate, who issues a warrant for his production before the court. The trial is conducted in a formal manner, and the accused has the right to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.
  4. Summary Cases: Summary cases are minor criminal offenses that are triable by a Magistrate. The trial is conducted in a summary manner, and the accused has the right to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, produce evidence in his defense, and make arguments in his favor.

Significance of Code of Criminal Procedure

  • The CrPC plays a significant role in the Indian criminal justice system as it ensures that the legal proceedings are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
  • It provides a framework for the investigation and trial of criminal offenses, which helps to safeguard the rights of the accused and ensure that justice is delivered in a timely and effective manner.
  • The CrPC also provides for the establishment of various courts, such as the Magistrate’s Court, Sessions Court, and High Court, and outlines the powers and duties of each of these courts.
  •  CrPC also sets out the procedures to be followed during the investigation, including the arrest of the accused, search and seizure of evidence, and interrogation of witnesses.
  • In summary, the Code of Criminal Procedure is a crucial legal document in India that governs the criminal justice system and ensures that legal proceedings are conducted in a just and fair manner.

CrPC UPSC

CrPC is an important topic for the UPSC Exam, and it comes under the governance, polity, internal security, and law sections of the UPSC Syllabus. Candidates can take the help of CrPC Notes for UPSC to prepare for the questions asked on this particular topic. In this article, candidates will find CrPC Notes that would surely help them to gain valuable knowledge on the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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