CrPC § 256 · Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Repealed on 1 July 2024
Section 256 CrPC — Non-appearance or death of complainant
Replaced from 1 July 2024 by BNSS 279 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Offences committed on or before 30 June 2024 are still charged under the CrPC.
The law now: BNSS 279 — Non-appearance or death of complainant
(1) If the summons has been issued on complaint, and on the day appointed for the appearance of the accused, or any day subsequent thereto to which the hearing may be adjourned, the complainant does not appear, the Magistrate shall, after giving thirty days’ time to the complainant to be present, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, acquit the accused, unless for some reason he thinks it proper to adjourn the hearing of the case to some other day:
Provided that where the complainant is represented by an advocate or by the officer conducting the prosecution or where the Magistrate is of opinion that the personal attendance of the complainant is not necessary, the Magistrate may, dispense with his attendance and proceed with the case.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall, so far as may be, apply also to cases where the non-appearance of the complainant is due to his death.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in). The Gazette of India is the authoritative text. BNSS 279 in full