Section 29 CrPC: Sentences which Magistrates may pass

Chapter III

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Criminal Procedure Code, CRPC, Fine, First Class Magistrate, Imprisonment, judicial powers, Jurisdiction of Magistrates, Magistrates, Metropolitan Magistrate, Second Class Magistrate, Sentencing powers

New Law Update (2024)

Section 24 BNSS

TRIAL COURT

Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate, Court of a Magistrate of the first class, Court of a Magistrate of the second class, Court of a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Court of a Metropolitan Magistrate

Punishment

Procedural – Judgment / Sentencing

Cognizable?

Bailable?

Compoundable?

Bare Act Text

(1) The Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate may pass any sentence authorised by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years.
(2) The Court of a Magistrate of the first class may pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or of fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, or both.
(3) The Court of a Magistrate of the second class may pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or of fine not exceeding five thousand rupees, or of both.
(4) The Court of a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate shall have the powers of the Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate and that of a Metropolitan Magistrate, the powers of the Court of a Magistrate of the first class.

Important Sub-Sections Explained

Section 29(1)

This sub-section outlines the maximum sentencing authority of a Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), allowing them to pass any sentence authorised by law, except for capital punishment, life imprisonment, or imprisonment exceeding seven years.

Section 29(2)

This sub-section delineates the sentencing powers of a Magistrate of the First Class, restricting them to a maximum of three years imprisonment, or a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, or both.

Chapter III