Delhi High Court Re-Designates Existing Magisterial Courts In National Capital Under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Effective From Today

In a significant move under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Acting Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court have re-designated the existing Magisterial Courts across the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Effective from July 1, 2024, this re-designation impacts Courts in all metropolitan areas and Judicial districts, formerly known as Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, and Metropolitan Magistrates.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 9 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and al other powers enabling them in this behalf, Hon'ble the Acting Chief Justice and Hon'ble Judges of this Court have been pleased to re-designate the existing Magisterial Courts of Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Metropolitan Magistrates, etc. of all the Metropolitan Areas (erstwhile)/Judicial Districts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with efect from 01.07.2024," the High Court order reads. 

This change categorizes the Courts into various classifications, including Chief Judicial Magistrates, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates, and Judicial Magistrates of the First Class. Each designation corresponds to specific areas and categories of cases, ensuring continuity from the previous court structure.

"The aforesaid Courts of Chief Judicial Magistrates, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates, Judicial Magistrates of the First Class, etc. of the given judicial districts shal exercise powers/ jurisdiction over the same categories of cases and/or cases of the same police stations/ areas, as were being exercised by the corresponding erstwhile Courts of Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Metropolitan Magistrates etc. prior to the issuance of this order," the order undersigned by the registrar General reads. 

Under this reorganization, the Courts will retain their existing jurisdiction over cases and police station areas as per previous allocations. Any specific categories of cases previously handled by Chief Metropolitan Magistrates or their equivalents will now fall under the jurisdiction of the newly designated Chief Judicial Magistrates and their counterparts.

This re-designation aligns with the provisions outlined in sub-section (2) of Section 531 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, ensuring that all judicial powers and functions previously vested in Chief Metropolitan Magistrates are seamlessly transferred to the newly re-designated courts. 

"The aforesaid Courts of Chief Judicial Magistrates, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates, Judicial Magistrates of the First Class, etc. of the given judicial districts would however continue to exercise the powers of Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Adl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrates, Metropolitan Magistrates, etc. exercisable under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for the purposes of and in terms of the provisions of subsection (2) of Section 531 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. 2023," it reads. 

Click here to read/download the Delhi High Court Order