What Is BNSS Section 444?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 444: Option of Court to Hear Parties

Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Sanhita, no party has any right to be heard either personally or by an advocate before any Court exercising its powers of revision; but the Court may, if it thinks fit, when exercising such powers, hear any party either personally or by advocate.

Brief Detail

Section 444 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 addresses the rights of parties in a court exercising its revision powers. It clarifies that:

• Generally, parties do not have an inherent right to be heard before the court.
• The court has the discretion to allow a party to be heard, either personally or through an advocate, if it deems it appropriate.

Question & Answers

Q1: Do parties have the right to be heard in court during revision proceedings?

A1: No, parties do not have an inherent right to be heard; it is at the court's discretion.

Q2: Can parties be represented by an advocate in revision proceedings?

A2: Yes, parties can be heard by an advocate if the court chooses to allow it.

Q3: Under what circumstances can a party be heard in court?

A3: A party can be heard if the court thinks it fit to allow such representation, either personally or by an advocate.

Q4: Is there any exception to the general rule about the right to be heard?

A4: Yes, the section states that there may be express provisions in the Sanhita that allow for exceptions.

Example

• Scenario 1: In a case where a party seeks revision, the court may decide not to hear the party personally or through an advocate, as there is no right to be heard unless the court permits it.
• Scenario 2: If a party presents compelling reasons for their case, the court may choose to allow the party to be represented by an advocate during the revision process.
• Scenario 3: A court might decide to hear a party personally in exceptional cases where it believes the matter requires further clarification or explanation.

Summary

Section 444 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 establishes that parties do not automatically have the right to be heard in court during revision proceedings. It grants the court the discretion to allow parties to present their case either personally or through an advocate, emphasizing that such hearings are not guaranteed and depend on the court's judgment.