Issue judgment copies free of cost to accused, convicts: AP HC to judicial officers

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh High court has directed all judicial officers to issue judgment copies free of cost. Under Section 363 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a copy of the judgment shall be given to the accused when he is sentenced.

Under the law, after the pronouncement of the judgment, the copy should be given to her/him free of cost. All the judicial officers in the state who are presiding over the criminal courts were directed to adhere to the mandatory provision of Section 363 of Code of Criminal Procedure.

The High Court said it has been receiving complaints against certain judicial officers that they are not adhering to the instructions.

“Therefore, reiterating the instructions already issued under references cited supra, all the Judicial Officers who are presiding over the criminal courts shall deliver judgments after making copies for the supply of the same to the accused (convicts), immediately after pronouncing the judgments,” the court said.