Plain-English Summary — Not Verbatim Statutory Text
Lets an accused person, in eligible cases, voluntarily apply to the court for a mutually satisfactory settlement — potentially resulting in a reduced sentence in exchange for pleading guilty — rather than going through a full trial.
- The application must generally be filed within 30 days of the charge being framed — a firm, specific deadline, not an open-ended option.
- Not available for every offence — it's restricted to specific eligible categories, and doesn't apply to serious crimes against women and children, among other exclusions.
If you're facing a minor, eligible charge, this can be a genuinely faster route through the system — but the 30-day window means it's a decision to make early, ideally with a lawyer's advice, not something to leave until later.
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This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.