Chapter II
Section 12 CrPC: Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, etc.
New Law Update (2024)
Section 10 BNSS
TRIAL COURT
Punishment
Procedural / Administrative
Cognizable?
Bailable?
Compoundable?
Bare Act Text
(1) In every district (not being a metropolitan area), the High Court shall appoint a Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(2) The High Court may appoint any Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have all or any of the powers of a Chief Judicial Magistrate under this Code or under any other law for the time being in force as the High Court may direct.
(3) (a) The High Court may, whenever it appears to it to be expedient, appoint any Judicial Magistrate of the first class to be a Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate and relieve him of his responsibilities under this section as occasion requires.
(b) Subject to the general control of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, every Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate shall also have and exercise, such powers of supervision and control over the work of the Judicial Magistrates (other than Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates) in the sub-division as the High Court may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.
Important Sub-Sections Explained
Section 12(1)
This sub-section mandates the High Court to appoint a Judicial Magistrate of the first class as the Chief Judicial Magistrate in every district, excluding metropolitan areas, establishing the head of the criminal judiciary at the district level.
Section 12(2)
This sub-section empowers the High Court to appoint Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates, granting them powers identical to or specified by the High Court, thereby aiding the CJM in managing judicial workload and supervision.