Section 360 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 allows a court, after conviction, to release certain offenders on probation of good conduct or after admonition instead of sentencing them at once. Section 401 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 carries the same title and continues this framework.
Release on probation of good conduct
Under Section 360(1) CrPC the court may consider probation in two broad situations, where there is no previous conviction:
- A person not under 21 years convicted of an offence punishable with fine only or with imprisonment of seven years or less.
- A person under 21 years, or any woman, convicted of an offence not punishable with death or imprisonment for life.
The court considers the offender's age, character and antecedents and the circumstances of the offence. The offender enters into a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive sentence when called upon, and to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of up to three years.
Release after admonition
Section 360(3) CrPC allows release after due admonition, without probation, for specified offences such as theft, dishonest misappropriation, cheating and offences punishable with up to two years or fine only, again where there is no previous conviction. Section 361 CrPC (now BNSS 402) requires the court to record special reasons where it does not apply these provisions in an eligible case.
धारा 360 CrPC क्या है?
धारा 360 CrPC (अब BNSS की धारा 401) के तहत अदालत दोषसिद्धि के बाद कुछ अपराधियों को तुरंत सजा देने के बजाय अच्छे आचरण की परिवीक्षा (probation) पर या चेतावनी (admonition) देकर छोड़ सकती है। इसके लिए अपराधी की आयु, चरित्र, पूर्व आपराधिक रिकॉर्ड और अपराध की परिस्थितियाँ देखी जाती हैं। ध्यान दें: पुरानी IPC की धारा 360 "भारत से अपहरण" से संबंधित थी, जो अब BNS की धारा 137 में है। इसलिए "धारा 360" देखते समय कानून का नाम ज़रूर जाँचें।
Relationship with the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 provides a wider and more specific scheme, including release after admonition (Section 3) and on probation (Section 4). Section 360 CrPC preserved the operation of that Act, and the BNSS continues the same approach. Where the Act is in force in the area, advocates usually argue under both.
Preparing a probation application
Collect proof of age, absence of previous convictions, employment, family responsibilities and conduct during trial. A probation officer's report may be called for. Address the nature of the offence directly rather than relying only on personal circumstances.
Juniorlawyer can produce a first draft of a probation or sentencing application from the judgment and supporting documents. Verify the facts and law before filing. Read about BNSS remand changes or browse the law guides library.
Before sentencing, the defence may also have led evidence from the accused; see Section 315 CrPC and BNSS 353 on the accused as a defence witness.