Whether you want to report an offence or you have been named in an FIR, criminal proceedings in Chennai follow the new criminal laws in force from 1 July 2024. Here is an outline of how they work.
In Chennai, a person arrested by the Greater Chennai Police is produced before the Magistrate, and regular bail for most offences is first sought there. Criminal Lawyers in Chennai advise on the law, draft the papers and appear for you. Booking a first consultation with an enrolled advocate through Mara Vakil is free.
People in Chennai approach criminal advocates from both sides. Complainants come after being cheated in a business deal, after a theft or assault, or after a police station refused to register their complaint. Accused persons come after receiving a summons, after an FIR arising from a family quarrel or a commercial disagreement, or after a cheque they issued was dishonoured. Matrimonial disputes frequently involve criminal complaints, and property quarrels between relatives often turn into allegations of trespass, intimidation and forgery. Some people come simply to understand whether what happened to them is a crime at all, or whether it is really a civil dispute that the police will not take up. That distinction matters, because the police and the courts are reluctant to let criminal law be used to recover money in a purely civil matter.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code and defines offences such as cheating (Section 318 BNS, old Section 420 IPC), criminal breach of trust (Section 316, old Section 406), cruelty by husband or relatives (Section 85, old Section 498A) and criminal intimidation (Section 351, old Section 506). The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) sets out the procedure for FIRs, investigation, arrest, bail and trial, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) governs evidence, including electronic records. The BNSS also introduced audio-video recording of searches and seizures, timelines for forensic examination in serious offences and the use of electronic summons, all of which affect how investigations in the city are now conducted.
Cases registered before 1 July 2024 continue under the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. Some offences, such as cheque dishonour under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, are governed by special laws and proceed on a private complaint rather than an FIR. Every criminal matter turns on its facts and evidence, and both complainants and accused have specific rights at each stage, from the right to an FIR copy to the right to legal representation. Victims also have rights, including the right to be informed about the progress of investigation and to be heard before certain cases are withdrawn.
Inside the city, FIRs are registered by police stations of the Greater Chennai Police. Any police station must register a cognizable offence, even as a Zero FIR, and transfer it to the station with jurisdiction. If a station refuses, the complainant can approach a senior officer under Section 173(4) BNSS (old Section 154(3) CrPC) or the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS (old Section 156(3) CrPC). Cases triable by a Magistrate are heard by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court at Egmore and other Metropolitan Magistrate Courts, while serious offences are committed to the Sessions Court.
The Madras High Court in Chennai hears petitions to quash FIRs and proceedings under Section 528 BNSS (old Section 482 CrPC), criminal revisions and appeals against conviction or acquittal from the Sessions Courts. Appeals from Magistrate Court judgments generally go first to the Sessions Court. Some suburbs are policed by other units and come under neighbouring district courts, so your advocate will confirm the correct court and police station for your case. Proceedings in the Madras High Court are in English, so statements and documents in Tamil may need to be translated for filing there. For legal aid, an eligible person can approach the legal services authority or call the NALSA helpline 15100.
Madras High Court (Chennai)
Magistrate Courts and Sessions Courts; the High Court for quashing petitions and appeals
Tamil and English
Criminal cases need an advocate who regularly appears before the Metropolitan Magistrate and Sessions Courts in Chennai and, where needed, before the Madras High Court. Check the advocate's enrolment number and State Bar Council registration with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Ask how they will handle urgent situations such as arrest outside court hours, and who will appear if they are unavailable on a hearing date.
Agree on the fee and the scope of work in writing, for example whether it covers only bail or the entire trial, and get a receipt for every payment. Fees depend on the advocate and the matter. Share all documents honestly, even unfavourable ones. Mara Vakil helps you find enrolled advocates and book a free consultation; it charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates and does not provide legal advice. Keep a dated file of every summons, order and receipt, and ask your advocate to explain each hearing's outcome so that you understand what comes next.
On Mara Vakil you describe your matter once and enrolled advocates who handle criminal matters in Chennai can accept it and call you. Mara Vakil charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates. Send your matter →
You can send the complaint in writing to the Deputy Commissioner or another senior officer under Section 173(4) BNSS. If that does not work, you can file an application before the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS asking for a direction to register and investigate. Keep a copy of your written complaint with the station's acknowledgement, as you will need it for these steps.
A Zero FIR is an FIR registered by any police station regardless of where the offence occurred. The station then transfers it to the police station that has jurisdiction, so you do not lose time going from one station to another.
Yes. Under Section 528 BNSS, the High Court can quash proceedings where the allegations do not disclose an offence, where the case is an abuse of process, or in some cases after a genuine settlement between the parties. The outcome depends on the facts.
Cases registered before 1 July 2024 continue under the IPC and CrPC. New cases use the BNS and BNSS, but advocates often mention the old section in brackets for clarity.
Many complaints can be submitted online, and cyber fraud can be reported at cybercrime.gov.in or through the 1930 helpline. For emergencies, call 112. Serious offences still require proper registration of an FIR.
Trial duration depends on the number of witnesses, the court's workload and whether there are adjournments. The BNSS sets some timelines for investigation and judgment, but your advocate can give a realistic idea after seeing the case papers. Regular attendance by the accused and timely production of witnesses by the prosecution help avoid unnecessary adjournments.
Other help in Chennai:
Criminal Lawyer in other cities:
Guide: Read the step-by-step guide
This page gives general information about the law in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is not legal advice and is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate. Laws and court practice change; confirm details with an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Read our disclaimer.
Join Mara Vakil to receive criminal matters from clients in Chennai. Free, enrolment-checked profile. Client requests in your practice area, no commission on your fees, a free case diary and your court group. Apply in about 10 minutes.