222. When offence proved included in offence charged.

(1) When a person is charged with an offence consisting of several particulars, a combination of some only of which constitutes a complete minor offence, and such combination is proved, but the remaining particulars are not proved, he may be convicted of the minor offence, though he was not charged with it.

(2) When a person is charged with an offence and facts are proved which reduce it to a minor offence, he may be convicted of the minor offence, although he is not charged with it.

(3) When a person is charged with an offence, he may be convicted of an attempt to commit such offence although the attempt is not separately charged.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorise a conviction of any minor offence where the conditions requisite for the initiation of proceedings in respect of that minor offence have not been satisfied.

Illustrations-
(a) A is charged under section 407 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) with criminal breach of trust in respect of property entrusted to him as a carrier It appears, that he did commit criminal breach of trust under section 406 of that Code in respect of the property, but that it was not entrusted to him as a carrier He may be convicted of criminal breach of trust under the said section 406.

(b) A is charged under section 325 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), with causing grievous hurt He proves that he acted on grave and sudden provocation He may be convicted under section 335 of that Code.

Comments:
(i) A Court is entitled to convict a person of an offence which is minor in comparison to the one for which he is tried;
Sangarabonia Sreenu v State of Andhra Pradesh, (1997)

(ii) If an accused is charged of a major offence but is not found guilty thereunder, he can be convicted of minor offence, if the facts established indicate that such minor offence has been committed;
State of Himachal Pradesh v Tara Dutta, AIR 2000

Read CrPC bare act in a systematic and better way.

Read CrPC section wise.

Download nice, mobile friendly CrPC PDF.