Section 178 of CrPC : Section 178: Place of inquiry or trial.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: Ramesh, a resident of Mumbai, is accused of committing a series of fraudulent transactions. The fraudulent activities were carried out through online banking, affecting victims in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.

Application of Section 178: Since the fraudulent transactions impacted multiple local areas (Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik), it is uncertain in which specific area the offence was primarily committed. According to Section 178(a), the case can be inquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over any of these local areas. Therefore, a court in Mumbai, Pune, or Nashik can take up the case.

Example 2:

Scenario: Priya, a businesswoman, is accused of smuggling goods. The smuggling operation involved transporting goods from Chennai to Bangalore, with the illegal activity occurring partly in Chennai and partly in Bangalore.

Application of Section 178: Since the offence of smuggling was committed partly in Chennai and partly in Bangalore, as per Section 178(b), the case can be inquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over either Chennai or Bangalore. Therefore, a court in either city can handle the trial.

Example 3:

Scenario: An environmental activist group files a complaint against a company for continuously polluting a river that flows through multiple districts, including Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata.

Application of Section 178: The pollution of the river is a continuing offence that affects multiple local areas (Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata). According to Section 178(c), the case can be inquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over any of these local areas. Therefore, a court in Varanasi, Patna, or Kolkata can take up the case.

Example 4:

Scenario: A gang is involved in a series of coordinated thefts, with different members committing thefts in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida.

Application of Section 178: The coordinated thefts involve several acts done in different local areas (Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida). As per Section 178(d), the case can be inquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over any of these local areas. Therefore, a court in Delhi, Gurgaon, or Noida can handle the trial.