Only the accused can ever get a copy of a court judgment.

Any person affected by the judgment or order can apply for a copy, and even unaffected persons may get one under High Court rules, though fees may apply for non-appealable cases.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 404

Copy of judgment to be given to accused and other persons

(1) When the accused is sentenced to imprisonment, a copy of the judgment shall, immediately after the pronouncement of the judgment, be given to him free of cost.§

(2) On the application of the accused, a certified copy of the judgment, or when he so desires, a translation in his own language if practicable or in the language of the Court, shall be given to him without delay, and such copy shall, in every case where the judgment is appealable by the accused, be given free of cost: Provided that where a sentence of death is passed or confirmed by the High Court, a certified copy of the judgment shall be immediately given to the accused free of cost whether or not he applies for the same.§

(3) The provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply in relation to an order under section 136 as they apply in relation to a judgment which is appealable by the accused.§

(4) When the accused is sentenced to death by any Court and an appeal lies from such judgment as of right, the Court shall inform him of the period within which, if he wishes to appeal, his appeal should be preferred.§

(5) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (2), any person affected by a judgment or order passed by a Criminal Court shall, on an application made in this behalf and on payment of the prescribed charges, be given a copy of such judgment or order or of any deposition or other part of the record: Provided that the Court may, if it thinks fit for some special reason, give it to him free of cost: Provided further that the Court may, on an application made in this behalf by the Prosecuting Officer, provide to the Government, free of cost, a certified copy of such judgment, order, deposition or record.§

(6) The High Court may, by rules, provide for the grant of copies of any judgment or order of a Criminal Court to any person who is not affected by a judgment or order, on payment, by such person, of such fees, and subject to such conditions, as the High Court may, by such rules, provide.§

Why this exists

The right to a copy of the judgment is central to the right to appeal and to basic fairness -- a convicted person cannot meaningfully challenge a decision they cannot read. Making death-sentence copies automatic and immediate reflects the extreme seriousness of capital cases, where delay in getting the judgment could eat into the limited time available to appeal for one's life. This provision continues, largely unchanged, section 363 of the CrPC, 1973.

Common misconceptions

Myth: Only the accused can ever get a copy of a court judgment.
Fact: Any person affected by the judgment or order can apply for a copy, and even unaffected persons may get one under High Court rules, though fees may apply for non-appealable cases.