Can Legal Heirs Continue Criminal Proceedings After the Complainant’s Death?
This discussion explores whether legal successors can pursue criminal cases after the death of a complainant according to Indian law, with reference to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Criminal cases are generally personal and die with death, but exceptions are made in certain offences like defamation under Section 222 where successors can carry on if authorized by law. Based on judicial precedents and BNSS provisions, this research assesses the scope, limitations, and procedural intricacies, providing insight into the convergence of succession and criminal justice in India’s contemporary legal landscape.