What Is BNSS Section 527?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 527: Case in which Judge or Magistrate is personally interested

No Judge or Magistrate shall, except with the permission of the Court to which an appeal lies from his Court, try or commit for trial any case to or in which he is a party, or personally interested, and no Judge or Magistrate shall hear an appeal from any judgment or order passed or made by himself.

Explanation.—A Judge or Magistrate shall not be deemed to be a party to, or personally interested in, any case by reason only that he is concerned therein in a public capacity, or by reason only that he has viewed the place in which an offence is alleged to have been committed, or any other place in which any other transaction material to the case is alleged to have occurred, and made an inquiry in connection with the case.

Brefe Detail

Section 527 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, stipulates that no Judge or Magistrate can try or commit for trial any case in which they are personally involved or interested, without the permission of the appellate Court. Additionally, a Judge or Magistrate cannot hear appeals from their own judgments or orders. The section clarifies that a Judge or Magistrate is not considered personally interested solely due to public involvement or preliminary inquiries related to the case.

Question & Answers

What does Section 527 prohibit regarding Judges and Magistrates?

It prohibits Judges and Magistrates from trying or committing for trial any case in which they are a party or personally interested, without permission from the appellate Court.

Can a Judge or Magistrate hear an appeal from their own decision?

No, a Judge or Magistrate cannot hear an appeal from any judgment or order they have passed or made.

What is the explanation provided in Section 527 regarding personal interest?

The explanation states that a Judge or Magistrate is not deemed personally interested in a case merely because they are involved in a public capacity or have viewed relevant locations or conducted inquiries related to the case.

What must a Judge or Magistrate obtain to try a case in which they are interested?

They must obtain permission from the Court to which an appeal lies from their Court.

Example

• Example 1: If a Magistrate is a neighbor of a person involved in a case, they cannot preside over that case without permission from the appellate Court.
• Example 2: A Judge who has previously viewed the scene of a crime does not automatically disqualify themselves from the case unless they have a personal interest.

Summary

Section 527 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, ensures impartiality by preventing Judges and Magistrates from trying cases in which they have personal interests, without court permission. It clarifies that involvement in a public capacity does not constitute personal interest in the case.