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CHAPTER XXV EVIDENCE IN INQUIRIES AND TRIALS · B.—Commissions for the examination of witnesses

Section 319: When attendance of witness may be dispensed with and commission issued

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

(1) Whenever, in the course of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita, it appears to a Court or Magistrate that the examination of a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, and that the attendance of such witness cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience which, under the circumstances of the case, would be unreasonable, the Court or Magistrate may dispense with such attendance and may issue a commission for the examination of the witness in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter:

Provided that where the examination of the President or the Vice-President of India or the Governor of a State or the Administrator of a Union territory as a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, a commission shall be issued for the examination of such a witness.

(2) The Court may, when issuing a commission for the examination of a witness for the prosecution, direct that such amount as the Court considers reasonable to meet the expenses of the accused, including the advocate's fees, be paid by the prosecution.

Corresponding CrPC provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

Questions on this section

1 question in 2 of our papers cite Section 319. Try these from the free papers:

  1. 1. Under the proviso to Section 319(1) of the BNSS, a commission shall be issued where the examination of which of the following persons as a witness is necessary for the ends of justice?

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita