Section 241 CrPC: Conviction on plea of guilty

Chapter XIX

conviction, Criminal procedure, judicial record, Magistrate's discretion, plea of guilty, warrant case

New Law Update (2024)

Section 234 BNSS

TRIAL COURT

Magistrate

Punishment

Procedural – Judgment / Sentencing

Cognizable?

Bailable?

Compoundable?

Bare Act Text

If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.

Important Sub-Sections Explained

Landmark Judgements

Kishore Kumar v. State of Rajasthan (1993):

This landmark judgment emphasized that the Magistrate’s discretion under Section 241 CrPC is judicial and not arbitrary. It held that a plea of guilty must be unequivocal, voluntarily made, and the accused must fully understand its implications before the Magistrate can act upon it.

Abdul Qadir v. State of Bihar (1973):

This case reiterated the principle that a plea of guilty must be clear, unambiguous, and voluntary. The Supreme Court underscored that the Magistrate is not mechanically bound to convict merely on a plea of guilty, but must exercise judicial discretion to ensure the plea is genuine and made without coercion or misunderstanding.

Chapter XIX