Criminal cases in Delhi range from cheque bounce complaints at the NI Act courts and matrimonial FIRs to cheating, assault and NDPS cases, spread across seven district court complexes and the Delhi High Court. This page explains how a criminal case moves in Delhi, whether you are the complainant or the accused, and what to prepare before your first meeting with an advocate.
In Delhi, a person arrested by the Delhi Police is produced before the Magistrate, and regular bail for most offences is first sought there. Criminal Lawyers in Delhi 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 Delhi come for criminal law help from both sides. Complainants want an FIR registered after a police station has refused to act, for example in a property fraud where a GPA holder sold the same flat twice, a job or visa scam run from a Laxmi Nagar office, or an assault in a neighbourhood parking dispute. Business owners in Karol Bagh or Okhla want to file cheque bounce complaints. On the other side, people are named in FIRs for cheating, criminal breach of trust, dowry harassment, hurt or criminal intimidation, often arising out of a family or money dispute. Some need help only at one stage, such as answering a police notice, opposing a charge, or filing an appeal against a conviction. The right step depends on what has happened so far and which court has the file.
For incidents on or after 1 July 2024, offences are defined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), procedure in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and evidence in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). Common provisions include cheating under Section 318 BNS (old Section 420 IPC), criminal breach of trust under Section 316 (old 406), cruelty to a married woman under Section 85 (old 498A), hurt under Section 115 (old 323) and criminal intimidation under Section 351 (old 506). An FIR is registered under Section 173 BNSS (old Section 154 CrPC), which now allows zero FIRs and e-FIRs. If the police refuse, a complaint can go to the Superintendent or Deputy Commissioner of Police and then to the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS (old Section 156(3)). Cheque bounce stays under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Most criminal cases start before a Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate in the court complex for the district where the offence took place: Tis Hazari, Patiala House, Karkardooma, Rohini, Dwarka, Saket or Rouse Avenue. Each complex also has courts that hear Section 138 NI Act complaints, and a large share of Delhi's criminal list is cheque bounce work. Serious offences such as murder, rape and dowry death are tried by Sessions Courts, while NDPS and POCSO cases go to designated special courts. Rouse Avenue generally hears cases investigated by the CBI and anti-corruption agencies, and cases involving MPs and MLAs.
The Delhi High Court hears criminal appeals, revisions, bail after rejection and petitions to quash FIRs or proceedings under Section 528 BNSS (old Section 482 CrPC). Its mediation centre, Samadhan, and the mediation centres in each district complex often help settle compoundable and matrimonial disputes. Appeals from the Delhi High Court go to the Supreme Court. Your advocate will confirm the correct court before anything is filed.
Send a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the district, keep the dispatch proof, and then approach the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS. Keep copies of everything you send.
Send a legal notice within 30 days of the return memo, wait 15 days for payment, and file the complaint within the next month in the court with jurisdiction over the payee's bank branch.
Where parties settle a matrimonial or money dispute, the Delhi High Court can quash the FIR. Settlement terms are usually recorded through mediation first.
Look for an advocate who regularly appears in the court complex where your case is listed, and who handles the side you are on, whether complainant or accused. Ask how often they appear in that court, whether they also handle Sessions and Delhi High Court work, and who will cover dates when they cannot attend. Check the advocate's enrolment number with the Bar Council of Delhi or the State Bar Council where they are enrolled. Share every paper and every earlier case honestly. Keep a simple file with dates, orders and copies, because criminal trials in Delhi can run for several years.
Agree in writing what the fee covers, such as the bail stage, the trial up to judgment, or an appeal, and whether appearance fees are per date. Fees vary with the advocate and the matter, so take a receipt for each payment. People who cannot afford an advocate can get free legal aid through the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, the legal aid office in each district court complex, or the NALSA helpline 15100. Mara Vakil is free for clients: you describe your matter once, and enrolled advocates who handle criminal cases in Delhi contact you.
On Mara Vakil you describe your matter once and enrolled advocates who handle criminal matters in Delhi can accept it and call you. Mara Vakil charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates. Send your matter
Send a written complaint by post or email to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of that district and keep proof. If there is still no action, you can file an application before the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS asking for a direction to register the FIR and investigate. The Magistrate may first call for a report from the police.
Delhi Police allows online complaints and e-FIRs for certain offences, such as vehicle theft and some property theft. The BNSS also allows an e-FIR to be signed by the complainant within three days. For other offences, you can file the complaint online but may need to visit the police station. A zero FIR can be lodged at any police station.
Generally in the court that has jurisdiction over the bank branch where the payee presented the cheque or maintains the account. In Delhi, that will be the NI Act court in the relevant district complex. The complaint must be filed within one month after the 15-day notice period ends, though delay can be condoned for good reason.
Compoundable offences can be compounded before the trial court with the complainant's consent. For non-compoundable offences, such as many cases under Section 85 BNS after a matrimonial settlement, the parties usually approach the Delhi High Court to quash the FIR. The court looks at the nature of the offence and the genuineness of the settlement.
Yes. If the FIR was registered before 1 July 2024, the investigation and trial continue under the CrPC and the IPC defines the offence. For incidents and FIRs after that date, the BNS, BNSS and BSA apply. Your advocate will check the FIR date first, because section numbers and some procedures differ.
It depends on the court's workload, the number of witnesses and how regularly witnesses appear. Magistrate trials in simple cases can finish faster, while Sessions trials often take longer. Avoiding adjournments from your side, keeping witnesses ready and following up on summons help. No advocate can honestly promise a fixed timeline.
No. Describing your matter and booking a first consultation with an enrolled advocate is free. Any fee for further work is agreed directly between you and the advocate.
Other help in Delhi:
Criminal Lawyer in other cities:
Guide: Bail application process in India
This page gives general information about the law in Delhi, Delhi. 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.
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