Section 290 - Application for plea bargaining

Plea bargaining allows accused to seek negotiated disposition after charge, subject to court's in camera voluntariness check.

Section 290 allows an accused to file a plea bargaining application after charge framing with a case description and an affidavit confirming voluntary plea bargaining and no prior conviction for the same offence. The court must notify the public prosecutor or complainant and the accused, examine the accused in camera to ensure voluntariness, and if satisfied, allow a limited period for the parties to negotiate a mutually satisfactory disposition, potentially including victim compensation; if involuntary or prior conviction exists, the court proceeds with the case under the Sanhita.