| 2(a) | Audio-Video Electronic Means | Use of electronic devices like cameras, computers, or phones in legal procedures. | Records evidence, statements, and trials through video or audio; allows video conferencing; ensures transparency during searches or seizures; reduces delays through faster electronic sharing; provides reliable digital record for court. | A video recording of a search operation ensures fair conduct and accountability. |
| 2(b) | Bail | A conditional release granted to an accused person before trial. | Requires promise to appear in court; may involve financial security or guarantor; prevents unnecessary detention; can be granted by police or magistrate; violation leads to re-arrest. | A person accused of theft is allowed to stay free after signing a bail bond. |
| 2(c) | Bailable Offense | Less serious crimes where bail is a legal right. | Includes public nuisance, trespassing, or minor theft; police or magistrate can grant bail without much discretion; accused not kept in custody unless conditions violated; aims to reduce unnecessary detention. | A person accused of creating public nuisance can be released on bail easily. |
| 2(d) | Bail Bond | A legal agreement where the accused promises to appear in court. | Often involves financial guarantee or surety; protects court’s interest; if accused fails to appear, bond amount is forfeited. | A trespassing suspect signs a bond guaranteeing payment if they don’t show up in court. |
| 2(e) | Bond | A general term for a legal promise to follow certain conditions. | May or may not involve financial penalty; used to ensure compliance; breach leads to penalties or arrests; encourages lawful behaviour without detention. | A person signs a bond agreeing not to disturb public order after a fight. |
| 2(f) | Charge | A formal legal accusation made against a person in a criminal case. | Filed after sufficient evidence is gathered; marks start of trial; accused informed and given opportunity to defend; helps court focus on specific facts. | A fraud case might involve charges based on fake documents and false claims. |
| 2(g) | Cognizable Offense | Serious crimes like murder, robbery, or kidnapping. | Police can arrest without prior magistrate approval; enables immediate action; FIR is filed; prioritizes public safety and quick investigation. | A robbery suspect can be arrested immediately by the police at the scene. |
| 2(h) | Complaint | A formal statement made to a magistrate alleging an offense. | Can be oral or written but excludes police reports; used to seek justice independently; magistrate reviews to decide if evidence exists for legal action. | A neighbour files a complaint about repeated noise disturbances. |
| 2(i) | Electronic Communication | Sending information through digital devices like phones, emails, or social media. | Covers online messages, emails, and electronic files; recognizes role of technology in modern communication and crimes; ensures accountability for online behaviour. | Sending fake bank messages to steal money can be punished under this Sec. |
| 2(j) | High Court | The highest appellate court in a state or union territory. | Supervises subordinate courts; hears appeals against lower court decisions; handles complex cases requiring higher judicial expertise. | A decision from a district court about property disputes may be appealed in the High Court. |
| 2(k) | Inquiry | A preliminary investigation conducted by a magistrate. | Determines if enough evidence exists to proceed to trial; filters out baseless cases; may involve questioning witnesses and examining documents. | A magistrate conducts an inquiry to check if a theft complaint has credible evidence. |
| 2(l) | Investigation | The process carried out by police to gather evidence in a criminal case. | Includes visiting crime scene, collecting evidence, questioning witnesses; can involve forensic analysis or digital records; starts after FIR or magistrate’s directions; aims to build strong case. | In a theft case, police might investigate by examining CCTV footage and interviewing neighbours. |
| 2(m) | Judicial Proceeding | Formal legal steps where evidence is presented and examined under oath. | Includes hearings, trials, and other court processes; ensures decisions based on reliable information; all parties have right to present their side; protects fairness and transparency. | A witness giving sworn testimony in court during a murder trial. |
| 2(n) | Local Jurisdiction | The specific geographical area where a court or magistrate has authority. | Determines which court handles cases based on where crime occurred; prevents confusion; can be extended or transferred in special cases. | A theft committed in Mumbai is typically handled by courts in Mumbai unless reassigned. |
| 2(o) | Non-Cognizable Offense | Minor offenses like public nuisance or defamation. | Police need magistrate approval before taking action or arresting; focuses on resolving disputes without unnecessary arrests; encourages amicable solutions. | Filing a defamation case against someone for spreading false rumors requires magistrate approval. |
| 2(p) | Notification | Official announcements or rules issued by the government. | Usually published in official government gazette; important for changes in laws, jurisdictions, or administrative orders; ensures transparency in government actions. | Declaring a new police station in an area must be notified publicly. |
| 2(q) | Offense | Any act or omission that is punishable under the law. | Can include theft, fraud, assault, or murder; divided into cognizable, non-cognizable, bailable, and non-bailable categories; defined clearly for uniform application. | Stealing a wallet from someone is an offense punishable under the law. |
| 2(r) | Officer in Charge of a Police Station | The senior-most officer responsible for managing a police station. | Ensures law and order in assigned area; directly supervises investigations; reports to higher authorities; acts as point of contact for public complaints and emergencies. | The officer in charge leads the investigation of a local burglary case. |
| 2(s) | Place | Any location where an offense occurs, like a house, building, or vehicle. | Includes public spaces, private property, and temporary structures; important for determining jurisdiction and collecting evidence. | A robbery inside a moving train is considered a crime committed at that “place.” |
| 2(t) | Police Report | A formal report submitted by police to a magistrate after completing an investigation. | Includes details about evidence, witness statements, and conclusions; known as charge sheet; helps magistrate decide whether to proceed with trial. | A police report for a fraud case might include bank statements and testimony from victims. |
| 2(u) | Police Station | An official building or location designated by the government for law enforcement. | Serves as base for registering complaints, FIRs, and investigations; headed by officer in charge; ensures public safety and maintains law and order. | A citizen reports a missing person case at the nearest police station. |
| 2(v) | Public Prosecutor | A government-appointed lawyer who represents the state in criminal cases. | Responsible for proving guilt of accused; works independently with access to police reports and evidence; ensures justice while respecting accused’s rights. | A public prosecutor argues a murder case on behalf of the victim’s family. |
| 2(w) | Sub-Division | Smaller administrative units within a district for easier management. | Includes courts and police stations handling cases within limited area; helps streamline law enforcement and judicial processes. | A sub-division might have its own magistrate to handle local petty cases. |
| 2(x) | Summons-Case | A case involving minor offenses where detailed trial is not required. | Includes crimes like trespassing or simple assault; accused called via summons, not arrested immediately; simplifies legal process for non-serious matters. | A neighbour is summoned to court for causing a public disturbance. |
| 2(y) | Victim | Someone who suffers harm because of a crime. | Includes physical, emotional, or financial harm; legal heirs can also seek justice on their behalf. | The family of a person killed in a car accident seeks justice in court. |
| 2(z) | Warrant-Case | Serious crimes like murder or fraud that require a detailed trial. | Offenses punishable by life imprisonment or death penalty; requires issuing warrant for arrest; involves framing detailed charges and thorough trial. | A murder case involves framing detailed charges and conducting a thorough trial. |
