- Every State shall be a sessions division or shall consist of sessions divisions; and every sessions division shall, for the purposes of this Code, be a district or consist of districts:
Provided that every metropolitan area shall, for the said purposes, be a separate sessions division and district. - The State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, alter the limits or the number of such divisions and districts.
- The State Government may, after consultation with the High Court, divide any district into sub-divisions and may alter the limits or the number of such sub-divisions.
- The sessions divisions, districts and sub-divisions existing in a State at the commencement of this Code, shall be deemed to have been formed under this section.
Simplified Explanation:
Section 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973 elaborates on the territorial divisions in India for the administration of criminal justice, specifically focusing on the concept of “Sessions Divisions.” Here’s what Section 7 entails, simplified for better understanding:
- Sessions Divisions and Districts: This section explains that, for the purposes of the CrPC, every State is divided into one or more Sessions Divisions, each headed by a Sessions Judge. These divisions are critical for organizing the administration of criminal justice at a more localized level.
- Districts: Within each Sessions Division, there may be one or more districts overseen by a District Magistrate. The alignment of judicial and administrative authority within these divisions and districts facilitates coordinated efforts in law enforcement and judicial processes.
- State Government’s Role: The State Government has the authority to establish or alter the boundaries of these Sessions Divisions and Districts. This means that the state government can reorganise these territorial divisions based on administrative convenience, the efficiency of justice delivery, and changes in the population or area.
- Notification and Gazette Publication: Any establishment or alteration of Sessions Divisions or districts is officially communicated through a notification in the State’s Official Gazette. This ensures transparency and public awareness regarding the administrative setup for criminal justice administration.
This section is significant because it lays the groundwork for the jurisdictional aspect of criminal trials and proceedings. By organizing the state into various Sessions, Divisions, and districts, the CrPC ensures that the administration of criminal justice is accessible and manageable, allowing for specialized attention to each area’s unique legal needs and challenges. The flexibility given to state governments to adjust these divisions as needed allows for adaptability in the justice system to meet changing societal and administrative demands.
