What Is BNSS Section 511?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 511: Noncompliance with provisions of section 183 or section 316.

(1) If any Court before which a confession or other statement of an accused person recorded, or purporting to be recorded under section 183 or section 316, is tendered, or has been received, in evidence finds that any of the provisions of either of such sections have not been complied with by the Magistrate recording the statement, it may, notwithstanding anything contained in section 94 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adiniyam 2023, take evidence in regard to such non-compliance, and may, if satisfied that such non-compliance has not injured the accused in his defence on the merits and that he duly made the statement recorded, admit such statement.

(2) The provisions of this section apply to Courts of appeal, reference and revision.

Brefe Detail

This section addresses situations where a court receives a confession or statement from an accused that was recorded under sections 183 or 316. If the court finds that the recording Magistrate did not comply with the required provisions, it can still admit the statement as evidence, provided that this non-compliance did not harm the accused's defense and that the statement was genuinely made.

Question & Answers

Q1: What happens if a court finds non-compliance with section 183 or section 316?

A1: The court may take evidence regarding the non-compliance and can admit the statement if it is satisfied that the non-compliance did not harm the accused's defense.

Q2: Can a statement still be admitted if the recording process was flawed?

A2: Yes, if the court determines that the non-compliance did not affect the merits of the case and that the statement was duly made by the accused.

Q3: Do the provisions of this section apply only to trial courts?

A3: No, the provisions apply to courts of appeal, reference, and revision as well.

Example

- If a confession made by an accused is found to have been recorded without following the proper procedure, the court can still consider it valid as evidence if it believes the accused was not disadvantaged in their defense.

- In an appeal, if a court identifies that a statement was recorded improperly, it can still admit that statement if it is convinced that the accused's ability to defend themselves was not compromised.

Summary

Section 511 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita allows courts to admit confessions or statements recorded under sections 183 or 316 even if there were procedural non-compliances, as long as those non-compliances did not harm the accused's defense. This provision ensures that potentially crucial evidence is not dismissed solely due to procedural errors.