CrPC 256 — Non-appearance or death of complainant

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Statutory text

(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, 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 a pleader 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.

Back to CrPC