A Gram Nyayalaya is not empowered by Part I of the First Schedule to the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 to…

Section 12(1) of the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 read with item (i) of Part I of the First Schedule empowers a Gram Nyayalaya to try offences not punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years (Part I refers to IPC offences, now read as the corresponding provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023). Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means under section 118(2) BNS (formerly s.326 IPC) is punishable with imprisonment for life, so it is outside that jurisdiction. Voluntarily causing hurt (s.115(2) BNS, up to one year), criminal intimidation under s.351(2) BNS (up to two years) and mischief under s.324(2) BNS (up to six months) fall within it.

The Madhya Pradesh Gram Nyayalaya Adhiniyam, 1996 has been repealed; Gram Nyayalayas are now established under the central Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008.