Private complaint to the Magistrate (s.223 BNSS)

A criminal complaint filed directly with the Magistrate.

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How the paper begins

With Dastavo's sample details; the people and places are fictional. The words in blue are the ones you fill in.

IN THE COURT OF Judicial Magistrate First Class, Amarnagar

Asha Rani wife of Shri Rohan Kumar, aged about 34 years, resident of House No. 12, Street No. 3, Nanak Nagar, Amarnagar, Tehsil and District Amarnagar, Punjab

…Complainant

Versus

Kabir Sharma son of Shri Dev Sharma, aged about 44 years, resident of House No. 7, Basant Vihar, Amarnagar, Tehsil and District Amarnagar, Punjab

…Accused

COMPLAINT UNDER SECTION 223 OF THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023

Respectfully Showeth:

1.That on 20-09-2026 at about 7 pm the accused stopped the complainant outside her house, slapped her and threatened to kill her.

2.That these acts make out offences under Sections 115(2) and 351(2) BNS, committed within the jurisdiction of this Court.

3.That the complainant will examine her neighbour Simran Kaur in support of this complaint.

PRAYER:

It is, therefore, respectfully prayed that the accused may kindly be summoned and tried for the offences under Sections 115(2) and 351(2) BNS, and punished according to law.

Any other relief which this Hon'ble Court deems fit may also be granted in the interest of justice.

Place: Amarnagar
Date: 12-10-2026

Asha Rani
Through Counsel

The rest of the paper is in Dastavo.

What to bring

Papers to bring

Proof of what happened: documents, the medical report (MLR), photographs, messages, and the names and addresses of your witnesses
Copies of any complaint made to the police, with the receipt
The full names, fathers' names and addresses of the accused
Your identity proof, and a vakalatnama in favour of your advocate, signed by you

Where to go

Filed through an advocate (or by you) before the Judicial Magistrate of the area where the offence took place; the Magistrate examines you and your witnesses on oath, may hold an inquiry, and under the new law hears the accused before taking cognizance.

Fee

Court fee and welfare stamps, where needed, and the process fee (talbana) for each notice or summons, as the court office directs; ask the counter for today's amounts. The advocate's fee is separate.

Good to know

Come for your statement and bring your witnesses on the dates fixed; if you stay away, the complaint can be dismissed.
State only what you know yourself, with dates and places: a false complaint or affidavit is itself an offence.
A complaint against a public servant for an act done in official duty may need the government's sanction; ask your advocate.

Papers and fees can change. Check with the office before you go. Guidance only, not yet reviewed by a lawyer.

Stamp paper

Court fee and welfare stamps, where needed, are affixed as the court office directs.