Criminal Complaint — Format and Filing Procedure Under CrPC 2026

   IN THE COURT OF THE LEARNED CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE / JMFC,
                          [City / District]

                  Criminal Complaint No. ______ of 2026

[Name of Complainant], S/o [___], aged [__] years,
resident of [Full Address]                          ... COMPLAINANT

                            VERSUS

1. [Name of Accused No. 1], S/o [___], r/o [Address]
2. [Name of Accused No. 2], S/o [___], r/o [Address]        ... ACCUSED

COMPLAINT UNDER SECTION 200 OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973
(SECTION 223 OF THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023) FOR
OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS [318/420 & 406 IPC / BNS 2023
Ss. 318(4) & 316] OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE / BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA.

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

1.  That the Complainant is a [law-abiding citizen / proprietor of
    M/s ____] residing/carrying on business within the territorial
    jurisdiction of this Hon'ble Court.

2.  That the Accused are known to the Complainant and, at the
    relevant time, [describe the relationship / transaction].

3.  That on [DD/MM/YYYY] at about [__] a.m./p.m. at [place, within
    the jurisdiction of this Hon'ble Court], the Accused, with
    dishonest and fraudulent intention, [state concisely the facts
    constituting the offence — e.g. induced the Complainant to part
    with ₹[amount] on a false representation and thereafter
    misappropriated the same / issued a threat / committed criminal
    breach of trust].

4.  That the aforesaid acts of the Accused constitute offences
    punishable under Sections [420 & 406] of the Indian Penal Code,
    1860 (corresponding Sections [318(4) & 316] BNS, 2023).

5.  That the Complainant lodged a written complaint dated
    [DD/MM/YYYY] with the [___] Police Station, but no First
    Information Report has been registered / no effective action has
    been taken, leaving the Complainant with no option but to approach
    this Hon'ble Court. (Copy annexed as Annexure-A.)

6.  That the cause of action arose on [DD/MM/YYYY] at [place], which
    falls within the territorial jurisdiction of this Hon'ble Court.

7.  That the Complainant undertakes to appear and adduce evidence in
    support of this complaint.

PRAYER

It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court
may graciously be pleased to:

 (a) take cognizance of the offences and record the statement of the
     Complainant and his witnesses on oath under Section 200 CrPC
     (Section 223 BNSS);
 (b) issue process / summons against the Accused and try them
     according to law; and
 (c) pass such other order as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the
     interest of justice.

                                          [Name of Complainant]
Place: [City]                             Through Counsel
Date : [DD/MM/2026]                       [Name of Advocate], Advocate

LIST OF WITNESSES:
  1. [Name & Address]      2. [Name & Address]

LIST OF DOCUMENTS:
  1. Copy of complaint to Police (Annexure-A)
  2. [Agreement / receipts / dishonoured cheque etc.]

                        VERIFICATION

I, [Name of Complainant], the above-named Complainant, do hereby
verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 7 above are true and
correct to my knowledge, and nothing material has been concealed
therefrom.

Verified at [City] on this [__] day of [Month], 2026.

                                          ____________________
                                             COMPLAINANT