MISCELLANEOUSCentral

Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 260 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), offences under this Act may be tried summarily by a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate.

Summary

Under this provision, any crime or offence under this Act can be tried using a quick, simplified court process called a summary trial.
This summary trial option applies even if Section 260 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act number 2 of 1974) would normally not allow summary trials for these offences.
Only a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate is authorized to conduct these summary trials under this Act.
This provision ensures that offences involving coinage are resolved speedily without unnecessary delays or prolonged legal procedures.

Practical examples

1In November 2012, Vikram was caught making illegal metal tokens to be used as money. Instead of facing a long, multi-year trial, his case was brought before a Judicial Magistrate of the first class in Pune, who conducted a quick summary trial to resolve the matter in a few weeks.

2In January 2014, a gold merchant named Meera was prosecuted in Chennai for melting coins. Since the city of Chennai is a metropolitan area, a Metropolitan Magistrate heard her case in a simplified, speedy summary trial, bypassing the lengthy standard trial procedures.

FAQ

1. What does it mean to try an offence "summarily"?

Trying an offence summarily means using a fast-track legal trial that is simplified, has shorter procedures, and is resolved much more quickly than a standard trial.

2. Who has the authority to try offences under this Act summarily?

Only a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate has the authority to conduct these summary trials.

3. Can a regular police officer or local village council conduct a summary trial under Section 21?

No, only a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate can try these cases.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011, what type of trial can be conducted for offences under the Act?

Q2.Which judges are specifically authorized to try offences summarily under Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011?

Q3.Which specific section of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is bypassed by Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011?

Q4.What is the Act number and year of the Code of Criminal Procedure mentioned in Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011?

Q5.If an offence under The Coinage Act, 2011 is committed in a metropolitan city like Delhi, who would try the offence summarily?

Q6.Does Section 21 of The Coinage Act, 2011 make summary trials mandatory for all offences under the Act?

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