Description

"If a Magistrate, upon taking cognizance of a petty offence, believes the case can be summarily disposed of under Section 260 or 261, they shall issue a summons to the accused. The summons shall require the accused to either:

• Appear in person or through a pleader on a specified date,
• Plead guilty in writing and submit the specified fine via post or messenger before the given date, or
• Authorize a pleader in writing to plead guilty and pay the fine on their behalf.

However, if the Magistrate holds a contrary opinion, they must record their reasons in writing. The fine specified in such summons shall not exceed one thousand rupees.

For this section, a "petty offence" refers to any offence punishable only with a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, excluding offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1931, or any law allowing conviction in absentia upon a guilty plea.

The State Government may, by notification, empower a Magistrate to exercise these powers for any compoundable offence under Section 320 or any offence punishable by imprisonment up to three months, a fine, or both, where the Magistrate deems that a fine alone would serve justice."**