According to Section 2(x) of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 a warrant case is one which relates to offences punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years. The trial in warrant cases starts either by the filing of FIR in a police station or by filing a complaint before a Magistrate. Later, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the offence is punishable for more than two years, he sends the case to the Sessions court for trial. The process of sending it to Sessions court is called “committing it to Sessions court”.
Important features of a warrant case are:
• Charges must be mentioned in a warrant case
• Personal appearance of accused is mandatory
• A warrant case cannot be converted into a summons case
• The accused can examine and cross-examine the witnesses more than once.
• The Magistrate should ensure that the provisions of Section 207 are complied with. Section 207 of Cr. P.C. 1973, include the supply of copies such as police report, FIR, statements recorded or any other relevant document to the accused.
The stages of trial in warrant cases are given from Section 238 to Section 250 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.