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Practice Area
Criminal Law
Expert criminal defense and prosecution support
Quick Answer
Maximum time to produce accused before Magistrate
New criminal codes effective from July 2024
Default chargesheet filing deadline
Criminal courts across India
Need the best criminal lawyer in India? NyaySevak connects you with verified criminal defence advocates for bail, anticipatory bail, FIR quashing, trial defence, and appeals across the Supreme Court, High Courts, Sessions Courts, and Magistrate's Courts. Our criminal lawyers handle every offence type — economic offences, NDPS cases, PMLA defence, POCSO matters, organised crime, cyber-crime, and offences against women and children — under both the legacy IPC/CrPC framework and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. Free first consultation, available round-the-clock for urgent bail matters.
From the moment an FIR is registered at the police station to the final appellate hearing before the Supreme Court, criminal proceedings in India follow a rigorous procedural path involving investigation, charge-sheeting, bail hearings, framing of charges, examination of prosecution and defense witnesses, arguments, judgment, and sentencing. Our team of experienced criminal lawyers handles the full spectrum—from securing anticipatory bail to prevent wrongful arrest, to defending complex trials involving economic offences, organized crime, cyber-crime, and offences against women and children.
We understand that being accused of a criminal offence is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. Our approach prioritizes protecting our clients' fundamental rights under Articles 20, 21, and 22 of the Constitution of India, including the right against self-incrimination, the right to a fair trial, and the right to legal counsel. We meticulously analyze evidence, challenge procedural irregularities, cross-examine witnesses effectively, and build compelling defenses tailored to each case's unique facts.
Issues We Handle
Governing Framework
What We Offer
We file and argue bail applications at all levels—from the Magistrate's court to the Supreme Court. For anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS (formerly Section 438 CrPC), we prepare detailed applications demonstrating absence of flight risk and willingness to cooperate with investigation.
Assistance in lodging FIRs at police stations, filing complaints under Section 200 BNSS before Magistrates when police refuse to register FIRs, and pursuing quashing of FIRs under Section 528 BNSS (formerly Section 482 CrPC) before the High Court when cases are frivolous or malicious.
Full-spectrum trial representation including cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, presenting defense evidence, filing discharge applications at the charge stage, and making final arguments. We handle sessions trials, warrant cases, and summons cases across all criminal courts.
Defense in cases involving financial fraud, embezzlement, cheating, forgery, corporate fraud, and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and PMLA. We work with forensic accountants and digital experts to build robust defenses.
Representation in cases involving hacking, identity theft, online fraud, phishing, cyber stalking, and data theft under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the new BNS provisions. We assist in both filing complaints and defending against cyber-crime allegations.
Defending persons accused under Section 85/86 BNS (formerly 498A IPC) for cruelty to married women, as well as representing victims under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. We approach these sensitive matters with discretion and legal precision.
Filing criminal appeals before Sessions Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court challenging convictions, acquittals, or sentencing. We also pursue criminal revision petitions to correct jurisdictional errors or procedural irregularities by lower courts.
Step by Step
The end-to-end procedural roadmap our advocates follow for criminal law matters.
Either an FIR is registered under Section 173 BNSS / Section 154 CrPC at the police station, or a private complaint is filed before the Magistrate under Section 223 BNSS / Section 200 CrPC.
Police investigate, record statements, gather evidence, and may arrest. Anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS / Section 438 CrPC can be sought before arrest.
Arrestee must be produced within 24 hours. Magistrate decides judicial / police custody. Regular bail under Section 480/483 BNSS / Section 437/439 CrPC can be moved.
Police file chargesheet within 60 or 90 days (depending on offence). If not filed in time, default bail under Section 187(3) BNSS / Section 167(2) CrPC is granted.
Court considers material on record and frames charges; accused pleads guilty or not guilty.
Prosecution witnesses examined and cross-examined; documents and seized articles exhibited.
Statement of accused recorded under Section 351 BNSS / Section 313 CrPC; defence witnesses examined.
Counsel argue on merits; court pronounces judgment — acquittal, conviction, or discharge. Appeal lies to Sessions / High Court / Supreme Court.
Paperwork Checklist
Keep these papers ready before your first consultation — it shortens timelines significantly.
Realistic Duration
Benchmark timelines for each stage — actual durations vary by court load and case complexity.
Bail application & decision
1–4 weeks
Investigation & chargesheet
60–90 days
Trial — framing of charges to judgment
1–4 years
Appeal to High Court / Supreme Court
1–5 years
Primary Sources
Read the underlying statutes and judgements directly from official Government of India sources.
Jurisdictions
Quick Reference
How We Help
The right combination of services depending on your criminal law matter.
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Delhi
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Maharashtra
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Karnataka
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Tamil Nadu
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Telangana
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Maharashtra
Criminal Law Lawyers in Kolkata
West Bengal
Criminal Law Lawyers in Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Criminal Law Lawyers in Jaipur
Rajasthan
Common Questions
Under the BNSS (and formerly the CrPC), bailable offences are generally less serious crimes where the accused has a right to be released on bail by the police or the court. Non-bailable offences are more serious crimes (such as murder, robbery, or offences punishable with imprisonment of 3 years or more) where bail is at the court's discretion. Even in non-bailable offences, bail can be granted based on factors like the nature of the accusation, severity of punishment, and likelihood of the accused fleeing.
If the police refuse to register your FIR, you have several remedies under Indian law. You can approach the Superintendent of Police with a written complaint under Section 173(4) BNSS. Alternatively, you can file a private complaint directly before the Judicial Magistrate under Section 200 BNSS, who may direct the police to investigate. You can also file a writ petition before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a direction to register the FIR.
Anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS (formerly Section 438 CrPC) is a pre-arrest bail that protects a person from being arrested in connection with a non-bailable offence. You should apply for anticipatory bail when you have reason to believe that you may be falsely implicated or arrested in a criminal case. The application is filed before the Sessions Court or the High Court, and the court considers factors like the nature of the accusation, the applicant's antecedents, and the possibility of the applicant fleeing from justice.
India enacted three new criminal statutes in 2023 that came into force on July 1, 2024: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replacing the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. These new codes introduce provisions for electronic evidence, zero FIR, mandatory forensic investigation for offences carrying 7+ years imprisonment, and timelines for trials and judgments.
Yes, certain criminal cases can be compounded (settled) under Section 359 BNSS (formerly Section 320 CrPC). Offences listed in the compounding table can be settled with the permission of the court or even without it, depending on the offence. Additionally, the High Court can quash criminal proceedings under Section 528 BNSS if parties have settled the matter, particularly in matrimonial and commercial disputes. However, serious offences like murder, rape, and offences against the State cannot be compounded.
Connect with our verified legal professionals specializing in criminal law matters across all courts in India. Get expert guidance today.
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