Draft a memorandum of appeal against the conviction

 

Draft a memorandum of appeal against the conviction


IN THE COURT OF THE HON’BLE SESSIONS JUDGE AT [DISTRICT NAME]

Criminal Appeal No. ______ of 2025

In the matter of:

[Name of the Appellant],
S/o [Father’s Name], aged about ___ years,
R/o [Full Address],
(Hereinafter referred to as the Appellant)
Appellant

Versus

The State of [Name of State],
Through the Public Prosecutor,
(Hereinafter referred to as the Respondent)
Respondent

 

MEMORANDUM OF APPEAL

(Under Section 373 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)

 

The Appellant above-named respectfully submits as under:

 

1. Facts of the Case

  1. That the Appellant was tried before the Court of the Learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, [Place], in Case No. ______ of 2024, under Section ___ of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) [mention section, e.g., Section 303 – Voluntarily causing hurt].
  2. That by the judgment dated //2025, the Learned Trial Court convicted the Appellant and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for ___ years and to pay a fine of ₹_____.
  3. That the Appellant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the said case. The conviction and sentence passed against him are illegal, improper, and unsustainable in law.

 

2. Grounds of Appeal

The Appellant prefers this appeal on the following, amongst other, grounds:

  1. Because the learned Trial Court has erred in law and on facts in holding the Appellant guilty without properly appreciating the evidence on record.
  2. Because the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt as required under law.
  3. Because the evidence of the prosecution witnesses is contradictory and unreliable, and the learned Court failed to take due note of these inconsistencies.
  4. Because the Trial Court wrongly disbelieved the defence evidence without assigning proper reasons.
  5. Because the learned Court failed to consider that there was no independent corroboration of the alleged offence.
  6. Because the sentence awarded is excessive and disproportionate to the nature of the alleged act.
  7. Because the conviction and sentence are contrary to the principles of natural justice and the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
  8. Because the learned Court failed to give the benefit of doubt to the Appellant, which he was entitled to.
  9. Because the judgment under appeal is based on conjectures, surmises, and misappreciation of facts and evidence.

 

3. Prayer

In view of the aforesaid grounds, it is most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to:

  1. Admit this appeal;
  2. Call for the records of the Trial Court;
  3. Set aside the conviction and sentence passed by the Learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, [Place], in Case No. ___ of 2024, vide judgment dated //2025;
  4. Acquit the Appellant of the charge under Section ___ of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and
  5. Pass such other order or direction as may be deemed just and proper in the circumstances of the case.

 

4. Interim Prayer (If Applicable)

Pending final disposal of this appeal, the Appellant prays that the Hon’ble Court may be pleased to suspend the execution of the sentence and release the Appellant on bail under Section 398 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in the interest of justice.

 

5. Verification

I, [Name of Appellant], the Appellant above named, do hereby verify that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 4 of the above appeal are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Place: ____________
Date: //2025

(Signature of Appellant)
[Name of Appellant]

Through Counsel:
[Name of Advocate]
Advocate, [Address]
Enrollment No. __________

 

NOTES FOR STUDENTS & PRACTICE

  • Legal Provision: Section 373, BNSS, 2023 (Appeal from conviction).
  • Old Reference: Section 374, CrPC, 1973.
  • For Suspension of Sentence: Section 398, BNSS, 2023 (corresponding to Section 389, CrPC).
  • Attach with: Certified copy of the judgment and order appealed from, along with bail application if applicable.

 

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