Section 204 lets any court try any crime, regardless of jurisdiction.

It only applies when offences are already legally joinable under specific joinder rules (sections 242, 243, 244, or 246); it doesn't override jurisdiction rules generally.

This section creates a new type of court.

It does not create new courts—it simply says an already competent court (competent for at least one of the offences) can try the joined offences together.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 204

Place of trial for offences triable together

Where—§

(a) the offences committed by any person are such that he may be charged with, and tried at one trial for, each such offence by virtue of the provisions of section 242, section 243 or section 244; or§

(b) the offence or offences committed by several persons are such that they may be charged with and tried together by virtue of the provisions of section 246, the offences may be inquired into or tried by any Court competent to inquire into or try any of the offences.§

Why this exists

This provision continues a long-standing principle in Indian criminal procedure (earlier found in the CrPC, 1973) meant to avoid multiplicity of trials and conflicting verdicts when related offences or co-accused persons are properly joined together. It saves time, reduces harassment to witnesses and accused persons, and promotes judicial efficiency by allowing a single competent court to try all connected offences instead of splitting them across different courts.

Common misconceptions

Myth: Section 204 lets any court try any crime, regardless of jurisdiction.
Fact: It only applies when offences are already legally joinable under specific joinder rules (sections 242, 243, 244, or 246); it doesn't override jurisdiction rules generally.
Myth: This section creates a new type of court.
Fact: It does not create new courts—it simply says an already competent court (competent for at least one of the offences) can try the joined offences together.