Language of Courts
Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with language of Courts. The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of this Code, the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court. The Act came into force on 01 Apr 1974. Repealed by section 531 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
The State Government may determine what shall be, for purposes of this Code, the language of each Court within the State other than the High Court.
Section 272, The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act 2 of 1974).
Now in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
BNSS 307 Language of Courts Text carried over almost unchanged 100%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Ram Awadh Chaudhary vs State of Bihar& ANR.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
An appeal by the informant seeking enhancement of sentence from life imprisonment to death penalty is not maintainable under the proviso to Section 272 of the Criminal Procedure Code. When life imprisonment is awarded under Section 376A of the Penal Code for rape, it is not necessary for the court to award separate rigorous imprisonment for life under Section 302 or additional rigorous imprisonment under Section 201, as all sentences should run concurrently.
On this section: Governs maintainability of appeals; restricts informant's right to appeal for enhancement of sentence
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… At this juncture, the petitioner (accused) has filed application (Exhibit 18) seeking directions to the complainant to file his evidence affidavit in Marathi language. The entire thrust is on Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which has empowered the State Government to determine the language of Court. Undisputedly, by virtue of notification dated 21.07.1998, the language of Court other than High Court is Marathi. In the said background the petitioner has insisted to file an evidence affidavit in Marathi …
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… make a mention of Gazette Notification of Government of Maharashtra dated 21st July, 1998 which reads thus; "GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT " Mantralaaya, Mumbai 400 032, dated the 21st July, 1998 CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973. No. OFL. 1098/CR-50/98/20-B--- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (II of 1974), in its application to the State of Maharashtra; and supersession of all previous notifications issued in this behalf, the Government of Maharashtra, hereby with effect from the 21st day of July, 1998, determines Marathi language to be the language of all Criminal …
Questions about Section 272
What have the courts held on Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?
Ram Awadh Chaudhary vs State of Bihar& ANR. (30 Apr 2014) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Governs maintainability of appeals; restricts informant's right to appeal for enhancement of sentence.
How do I find court cases under Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: CRPC 272, section 272 CRPC, section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Ram Awadh Chaudhary vs State of Bihar& ANR. (30 Apr 2014).
What should I read with Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and has it changed?
2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNSS 307 (Language of Courts), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure come into force?
Section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, cited as CRPC 272, came into force on 01 Apr 1974, having been enacted on 25 Jan 1974. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 320. Compounding of offences1554 words
- 167. Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in twenty four hours1005 words
- 220. Trial for more than one offence962 words
- 360. Order to release on probation of good conduct or after admonition804 words
- 2. Definitions799 words
- 198. Prosecution for offences against marriage774 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 330a1099-77ad-4a2e-b22a-769b33398f9e). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.