Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 274
Substance of accusation to be stated
When in a summons-case the accused appears or is brought before the Magistrate, the particulars of the offence of which he is accused shall be stated to him, and he shall be asked whether he pleads guilty or has any defence to make, but it shall not be necessary to frame a formal charge: Provided that if the Magistrate considers the accusation as groundless, he shall, after recording reasons in writing, release the accused and such release shall have the effect of discharge.
Why this exists
Summons-cases involve less serious offences, so the law simplifies procedure by skipping the formal written charge required in warrant-cases, while still requiring the accusation to be stated clearly enough that the accused can respond, and still protecting him from groundless accusations through an outright release. It mirrors section 251 of the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure.