Chapter II
Section 15 CrPC: Subordination of Judicial Magistrates
New Law Update (2024)
Section 17 BNSS
TRIAL COURT
Punishment
Procedural / Administrative
Cognizable?
Bailable?
Compoundable?
Bare Act Text
(1) Every Chief Judicial Magistrate shall be subordinate to the Sessions Judge; and every other Judicial Magistrate shall, subject to the general control of the Sessions Judge, be subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
(2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may, from time to time, make rules or give special orders, consistent with this Code, as to the distribution of business among the Judicial Magistrates subordinate to him.
Important Sub-Sections Explained
Section 15(1)
This sub-section establishes the clear hierarchy where all Judicial Magistrates, including the Chief Judicial Magistrate, are subordinate to the Sessions Judge, and other Judicial Magistrates are further subordinate to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Section 15(2)
This sub-section empowers the Chief Judicial Magistrate to issue rules or special orders for efficiently distributing judicial work among the Judicial Magistrates under his authority, ensuring smooth functioning of the court system.