Criminal Rules
of Practice
Seventeen chapter notes covering the State Criminal Rules of Practice — the procedural rules made by High Courts under Section 477 CrPC for the working of subordinate criminal courts. FIR registration, charge sheet format, framing of charge, examination of accused, judgment writing, and sentencing notes. Rule first, form second, consequence of non-compliance third.
The State Criminal Rules of Practice — court administration in a single volume.
The Criminal Rules of Practice are subordinate legislation made by High Courts under Section 477 of CrPC for the regulation of practice and procedure in subordinate criminal courts. Each State has its own Rules — the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Rules of Practice and Circular Orders 1990, the Madhya Pradesh Criminal Court Rules 1961, the Karnataka Criminal Rules of Practice 1968. The Rules supplement CrPC; they do not override it.
These notes anchor every chapter to the relevant Rule of the State Criminal Rules of Practice. The most-tested portions are the formats prescribed for FIRs, charge sheets, charge framing, judgments and sentencing notes, the rules on office procedure including malkhana procedure and exhibit marking, and the consequences of non-compliance — distinguishing curable irregularities under Section 460/461 CrPC from illegalities that vitiate the trial.
Each chapter is designed to be read in twelve to fifteen minutes and to leave the reader with the Rule number, the subject matter, the procedure or form prescribed, the consequence of non-compliance (irregularity versus illegality), and the cross-reference to CrPC/BNSS.
How to read these notes
Start with the Rule.
Every chapter opens with the relevant Rule of the State Criminal Rules of Practice. Read it. The Rule numbers differ from State to State — the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Rules differ in numbering from the Madhya Pradesh Criminal Court Rules, even where the substance is the same.
Identify the consequence of non-compliance.
Every Criminal Rules of Practice question reduces to one inquiry: is the defect a curable irregularity under Section 460 CrPC, or an illegality under Section 461 that vitiates the proceeding? Defects in the format of the charge sheet or summons are usually curable. Defects in the recording of a confession, in the framing of charge, or in the constitution of the court are usually not.
Test on the leading case.
If you can restate the holding of Willie Slaney v. State of MP, K. Veeraswami v. Union of India, or State of Punjab v. Shamlal Murari in two sentences, you understand the chapter. If not, return to the statutory section and rebuild from there.
All 17 chapters, in 4 groups
Sequenced through the natural structure of the subject — every chapter sits in a doctrinal cluster.Foundations & Office Procedure
Source rules + court administration
The source of the Criminal Rules of Practice in Section 477 CrPC, the court establishment and office procedure, the maintenance of the register of cases, the rules on filing and presentation of papers, the office report on the FIR and charge sheet, and the cause-list procedure.
FIR, Charge Sheet & Process
Formats for the pre-cognizance phase
The prescribed formats for the First Information Report and the police charge sheet, the rules on summons issuance and service, the modes of service, the consequences of non-service, and the rules on issuance of warrants and proclamation of absconders.
Framing of Charge, Examination & Trial
Trial conduct under the Rules
The rules on framing of charge with the prescribed format, the recording of evidence under examination-in-chief and cross-examination, the marking of exhibits and the exhibit register, the procedure for examination of the accused under Section 313 CrPC / Section 351 BNSS, and the recording of plea.
Judgment, Sentencing & Wrap-Up
Formats + escort + reference
The prescribed format for the criminal judgment with sentencing notes, the rules on the malkhana procedure for custody of property and articles, the escort and lodging of accused, the rules on court diaries, the consequences of non-compliance, and the cross-reference to CrPC and BNSS provisions.