Yes, you're entitled to apply for certified copies of orders, judgments, FIRs, chargesheets, and other case records from the relevant court registry by filing a simple application along with the prescribed fee. These certified copies are often essential — for filing an appeal, applying for bail, seeking record clearance after acquittal, or simply keeping your own documentation in order. Practically, apply for certified copies as soon as a relevant order is passed rather than waiting until you need them urgently, since court registries can take time to process requests, and delays here have caused people to miss appeal deadlines.

If you need help navigating this process or understanding which records you should be securing at this stage, it is recommended to consult experienced retired judges and seek guidance from Aapka Legal Advice, whose panel can guide you through obtaining the right documentation for your case.

Yes, you can obtain certified copies of your criminal case records in Mumbai. Certified copies of public documents in criminal proceedings — FIR, chargesheet, court orders, judgments, witness depositions — are obtainable under Section 76 BSA 2023. Apply to the court where the case is pending or was decided. Urgent copy applications are available for time-sensitive filings like appeals.

For a retired judge's guidance on obtaining certified copies of your criminal case records in Mumbai, consult at: https://aapkalegaladvice.com/lawyer/criminal-lawyers-in-mumbai/

Quick Answer Box

Getting certified copies of criminal case records in Mumbai:

• Legal basis: Section 76 BSA 2023 (formerly Section 76 IEA); Section 230/231 BNSS (free copies for accused)
• Where to apply: The court where the case is pending or was decided
• Who can apply: Accused (right to free copies under Section 230/231 BNSS); parties; legal heirs; advocates; in some cases, third parties
• Key documents available: FIR, chargesheet, bail orders, judgments, court orders, witness depositions
• Timeline: 1–4 weeks (standard); 24–72 hours (urgent application)
• Alternative routes: RTI application for police records; eCourts online access
• If refused: Application to Bombay HC under Article 226/227

Key Takeaways

• Every party to a criminal case in Mumbai has the right to certified copies of public documents in the case under Section 76 BSA 2023.
• The accused has a specific statutory right to free copies of prosecution documents under Section 230/231 BNSS 2023 (formerly Sections 207/208 CrPC) — which the Magistrate must supply before the case proceeds to trial.
• Applications for certified copies are made to the court where the case is pending or was decided — the Sessions Court, Magistrate's court, or Bombay HC Certified Copy Branch, as applicable.
• An urgent certified copy procedure exists in Mumbai courts — invoked when the copy is needed for filing an appeal within the 30-day limitation period or for other time-sensitive filings.
• The Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 provides an alternative route for obtaining police-held records (FIR, chargesheet) — often faster than the certified copy procedure.
• eCourts and Maharashtra's online court management system allow access to some case information and orders electronically.
• Where a court refuses to supply a certified copy without adequate reason, a writ petition before the Bombay HC under Article 226/227 is available.
• Third parties (persons not party to the case) have more limited rights to certified copies — they may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest.

Can I Obtain Certified Copies of My Criminal Case Records in Mumbai? Complete Legal Guide

Table of Contents

1. The Right to Certified Copies — Legal Foundation
2. Relevant Statutory Provisions
3. Who Has the Right to Apply — Accused, Victim, Third Parties
4. The Accused's Specific Rights Under Section 230/231 BNSS
5. Complete List of Documents Obtainable as Certified Copies
6. Documents That Are NOT Freely Available as Certified Copies
7. Which Court to Apply to in Mumbai
8. The Certified Copy Application Procedure — Step by Step
9. Urgent Certified Copy Applications
10. Bombay High Court Certified Copy Branch — Specific Procedure
11. City Civil and Sessions Court — Certified Copy Procedure
12. Metropolitan Magistrate Courts — Certified Copy Procedure
13. Certified Copies for Filing Criminal Appeals
14. The RTI Route — An Alternative for Police Records
15. Online Access — eCourts and Maharashtra Court Portals
16. FIR Copy — Specific Procedure
17. Chargesheet Copy — When and How
18. Judgment and Order Copies — Procedure
19. Witness Deposition / Examination Record Copies
20. Bail Order Copies
21. What If the Court Refuses to Provide a Certified Copy?
22. Latest Legal Position (2023–2026)
23. Landmark Judgments
24. Bombay High Court Position
25. Costs Involved
26. Timeline of Certified Copy Applications
27. Common Mistakes When Applying for Certified Copies
28. Risks and Limitations
29. Practical Legal Advice
30. Litigation Strategy
31. Step-by-Step Action Plan
32. Frequently Asked Questions
33. Conclusion

1. The Right to Certified Copies — Legal Foundation

The right to obtain certified copies of documents in criminal proceedings flows from two sources:

Statutory right — Section 76 BSA 2023: Section 76 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (formerly Section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872) provides:

"Every public officer having the custody of a public document, which any person has a right to inspect, shall give that person on demand a copy of it on payment of the legal fees therefore, together with a certificate written at the foot of such copy that it is a true copy of such document or part thereof, as the case may be, and such certificate shall be dated and subscribed by such officer with his name and his official title, and shall be sealed, whenever such officer is authorised by law to make use of a seal; and such copies so certified shall be called certified copies."

Constitutional right — Article 21: The right to fair trial under Article 21 encompasses the right to access documents necessary for one's defence. The Supreme Court has consistently held that denying an accused access to prosecution documents violates the right to a fair trial.

Specific accused's right — Section 230/231 BNSS 2023: In criminal proceedings, the accused has a specific statutory right to receive copies of prosecution documents — FIR, chargesheet, witness statements, and other documents — before the trial begins.

2. Relevant Statutory Provisions

3. Who Has the Right to Apply — Accused, Victim, Third Parties

The Accused: Has the broadest right to certified copies in their own criminal case. In addition to the general right under Section 76 BSA 2023, the accused has the specific statutory right under Sections 230/231 BNSS to receive free copies of all prosecution documents before trial.

The Victim / Complainant: Has the right to certified copies of orders and judgments as a party to the proceedings. Under Section 2(wa) CrPC (now BNSS provisions on victim rights), victims have enhanced rights of access to case records.

Legal Heirs: Where the accused or complainant has died during proceedings, legal heirs can apply for certified copies of relevant orders and judgments.

Advocates: An enrolled advocate appearing in the case can apply for certified copies on behalf of their client. An advocate not appearing in the case has more limited rights.

Third Parties: Members of the public do not have a general right to certified copies of criminal case records. However, where a legitimate interest is demonstrated — for example, a journalist covering a public interest matter, or a researcher — the court may exercise discretion. In practice, third parties often use the RTI route.

4. The Accused's Specific Rights Under Section 230/231 BNSS

Section 230 BNSS 2023 (formerly Section 207 CrPC) provides that in cases triable by the Sessions Court, the Magistrate shall without delay supply the accused with:

• The police report (chargesheet).
• The FIR recorded under Section 173 BNSS.
• The statements under Section 180 BNSS (police statements of prosecution witnesses).
• Confessions and statements recorded under Section 183 BNSS.
• Any other documents forwarded with the police report.

Section 231 BNSS 2023 (formerly Section 208 CrPC) provides similar rights for cases triable by Magistrates.

These copies are to be supplied free of cost — the accused does not pay the standard certified copy fee for documents supplied under Section 230/231 BNSS.

What to do: if the Magistrate has taken cognisance of the chargesheet and has not automatically supplied the Section 230/231 BNSS documents, the accused's advocate should immediately demand them at the first hearing and keep demanding them at each subsequent hearing until they are supplied.

5. Complete List of Documents Obtainable as Certified Copies

The following documents are available as certified copies in Mumbai criminal cases:

Police-Stage Documents:

• FIR (First Information Report) — from the police station or e-portal
• Mahazar / seizure list — from the police station
• Arrest memo
• Remand orders

Court-Stage Documents:

• Chargesheet (police report under Section 193 BNSS)
• All prosecution documents annexed to the chargesheet (supplied free under Section 230/231 BNSS)
• Bail orders and modifications
• Cognisance order
• Summons / warrants issued
• Orders on all applications (discharge application, Section 143A NI Act interim compensation, etc.)
• Orders framing charges
• Witness depositions (examination-in-chief and cross-examination records)
• Exhibits marked in evidence (copies, not originals)
• Judgment of conviction or acquittal
• Sentence order
• All interlocutory orders throughout the proceedings

Appellate Court Documents:

• Sessions Court judgment on first appeal
• Bombay HC judgment on second appeal or revision
• All HC orders in the case

6. Documents That Are NOT Freely Available as Certified Copies

Some documents are not freely available or require special procedures:

• Section 180 BNSS police statements (Section 161 CrPC statements): these are supplied to the accused free under Section 230 BNSS but are not freely available to third parties or victims. The police may claim exemption from producing these under RTI on ground of ongoing investigation.
• Confidential government communications: internal police reports, intelligence inputs, and communications with the prosecution department may be exempt.
• Documents under Section 164 CrPC / Section 183 BNSS privilege: some confessional statements and sensitive documents have restricted access.
• Documents in sealed covers: where the court has ordered documents to be filed in a sealed cover, access requires a specific court order.
• Personal data of witnesses: in sensitive cases (POCSO, sexual offences), the witness's identity and contact information may be protected and not available in certified copies.

7. Which Court to Apply to in Mumbai

For documents from Magistrate court proceedings: Apply to the concerned Metropolitan Magistrate's court where the case is pending or was decided — typically the court's copying/certified copy section.

For documents from Sessions Court proceedings: Apply to the City Civil and Sessions Court, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai — the certified copy branch of the Sessions Court.

For documents from Bombay HC proceedings: Apply to the Bombay High Court Certified Copy Branch — located at the HC building, specific floor and section.

For FIR and police records: Apply to the concerned police station (for a simple FIR copy) or use the Maharashtra Police online FIR portal — or file an RTI application with the police station or the concerned Superintendent of Police.

Key rule: apply to the court or authority that produced or holds the document — not just any court.

8. The Certified Copy Application Procedure — Step by Step

Standard procedure at Mumbai criminal courts:

1. Obtain the standard application form from the certified copy branch of the relevant court (or draft a letter if no form is prescribed).
2. Fill in: case number, parties' names, name of the presiding officer, the specific document required, and the purpose.
3. Pay the prescribed court fee — court fees are charged per page; rates are specified in the Maharashtra Court Fees Act and the court's fee schedule.
4. Submit the application at the certified copy counter of the relevant court.
5. Receive an acknowledgement slip with the application number.
6. The court registry prepares the certified copy.
7. Collect the certified copy on the date given (or when notified).

Average fees in Mumbai criminal courts:

• First page: typically ₹5–₹15 per page (varies by court level).
• Subsequent pages: slightly lower per page.
• Urgent charges: additional fee for urgent copies.

9. Urgent Certified Copy Applications

Where a certified copy is needed urgently — most commonly for filing an appeal within the 30-day limitation period — an urgent application can be filed.

Urgent copy procedure in Mumbai criminal courts:

1. Mark the application "URGENT" prominently at the top.
2. State the specific reason for urgency — "Required for filing an appeal within the limitation period of 30 days from [date of judgment]."
3. Pay the urgent copy fees — typically 50–100% additional on the standard fee.
4. Speak directly to the certified copy branch supervisor or the court's reader to prioritise the application.
5. In extreme urgency, the presiding judge can be approached through the court's mechanism to direct priority preparation.

Realistic urgent timeline in Mumbai: 24–72 hours for an urgent certified copy. Standard timeline: 7–21 days.

Critical practical point: if a conviction was pronounced yesterday and you need the certified copy to file an appeal within 30 days, file the urgent application today. Do not wait — the 30-day clock is running from the date of conviction, not from the date you receive the copy.

10. Bombay High Court Certified Copy Branch — Specific Procedure

The Bombay HC has a dedicated Certified Copy Branch (also called the "Copying Section") that handles certified copy applications for all HC matters.

Specific procedure at Bombay HC:

1. Obtain the specific Bombay HC certified copy application form from the Certified Copy Branch.
2. Fill in: Writ Petition / Criminal Appeal / Revision number, the specific orders or judgments required.
3. Pay the fee at the HC fee counter (court fee stamps or online payment).
4. Submit the application at the Certified Copy Branch counter.
5. Receive the acknowledgement slip.
6. Collect the certified copy when ready — typically 7–21 days for standard; 2–3 days for urgent.

Bombay HC Certified Copy Branch operating hours: typically 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM on court working days. Check current hours before visiting.

11. City Civil and Sessions Court — Certified Copy Procedure

The City Civil and Sessions Court, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai — the principal Sessions Court for Mumbai — has a specific Certified Copy Section handling criminal appeal records, Sessions Court judgments, and documents from Sessions trials.

Specific procedure:

1. Identify the court room and file number of the case.
2. Obtain the application format from the Copying Department.
3. Submit with court fee and specification of the required document.
4. Typical timeline: 7–21 days standard; 2–5 days urgent.

12. Metropolitan Magistrate Courts — Certified Copy Procedure

Mumbai has multiple Metropolitan Magistrate courts located at different court complexes — Esplanade, Dindoshi, Bandra, Mulund, and others.

General procedure:

1. Identify which Magistrate court and court number handled the case.
2. Approach the Reader of that court for the certified copy application form.
3. Pay the fee and submit the application.
4. Timeline: 7–21 days standard; 2–5 days urgent.

Practical note: the Metro Magistrate courts in Mumbai often have high volumes of certified copy applications, particularly for NI Act cases. Build extra time into the timeline.

13. Certified Copies for Filing Criminal Appeals

Filing a criminal appeal — particularly a Sessions Court appeal against a Magistrate conviction — requires certified copies of the judgment and the order of sentence. Without these, the appeal cannot be filed.

Documents typically required for a criminal appeal:

• Certified copy of the Magistrate's judgment (conviction order).
• Certified copy of the order of sentence (if pronounced on a separate date).
• Certified copy of any bail order or interim order relevant to the appeal.

Urgency for appeal filing: The 30-day limitation period for filing a criminal appeal runs from the date of the order, not from the date the certified copy is received. However, courts may take some cognisance of the time required to obtain copies when adjudicating condonation of delay applications.

Best practice: file the urgent certified copy application on the day of the conviction. Even if the copy takes 7–10 days, the appeal can be filed within the 30-day period if the application is made promptly.

14. The RTI Route — An Alternative for Police Records

The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides a powerful alternative route for obtaining criminal records held by the police:

Documents obtainable through RTI:

• Copy of the FIR (though police stations are often supposed to provide this proactively).
• Status of investigation.
• Chargesheet (for completed investigations).
• Other police-held records.

RTI procedure:

1. Address a written RTI application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned police station or district Superintendent of Police.
2. Pay the RTI fee — currently ₹10 per application.
3. The PIO must respond within 30 days (or 48 hours for matters affecting life and liberty).
4. If refused, an appeal lies to the First Appellate Authority and then to the Maharashtra State Information Commission.

When RTI is faster: where the police station is slow to provide FIR copies through the standard route, an RTI application creates a statutory obligation on the police to respond within 30 days.

Exemptions: ongoing investigation files are sometimes exempted from RTI on grounds that disclosure would prejudice the investigation. This exemption can be challenged before the Information Commissioner.

15. Online Access — eCourts and Maharashtra Court Portals

Modern technology has created alternatives to physical certified copy applications:

eCourts Service (ecourts.gov.in):

• Case status and hearing dates for most Mumbai courts.
• Copies of some orders available for download.
• Not a substitute for certified copies but useful for preliminary research.

National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG):

• Aggregate court data; case status; hearing information.

Maharashtra State Causelist:

• Current and upcoming hearing dates.

Limitation of online access: Online portals provide case status and some orders — but for certified copies (with the court's seal and signature) required for appeals and formal legal proceedings, a physical application to the certified copy branch is still required.

16. FIR Copy — Specific Procedure

The First Information Report is one of the most commonly required documents in criminal cases.

Where to get an FIR copy:

• Maharashtra Police online FIR portal — many FIRs registered in Maharashtra are available online with the FIR number.
• Directly from the police station — any person involved in the case can request a copy of the FIR from the Station House Officer (SHO).
• From the court — after the chargesheet is filed and cognisance is taken, the FIR becomes part of the court record.
• RTI application — to the concerned police station.

Right to the FIR: The Supreme Court in multiple cases has held that the victim / complainant has a right to a copy of the FIR. The accused also has a right to the FIR copy as part of their fair trial rights.

17. Chargesheet Copy — When and How

The chargesheet (police report under Section 193 BNSS) is supplied to the accused free of cost under Section 230/231 BNSS when the Magistrate takes cognisance.

If the chargesheet has not been supplied: Demand it from the Magistrate at the first hearing after cognisance. Section 230/231 BNSS mandates supply before proceedings continue.

If you need a certified copy for external purposes (employment, immigration, other legal proceedings): Apply to the court where the case is pending for a certified copy of the chargesheet.

18. Judgment and Order Copies — Procedure

For the judgment of conviction / acquittal and all court orders:

• Apply to the certified copy branch of the court that passed the judgment.
• For Magistrate court judgments: apply to the concerned Magistrate court's Reader.
• For Sessions Court judgments: apply to the City Civil and Sessions Court Certified Copy Section.
• For Bombay HC judgments: apply to the HC Certified Copy Branch.

Online availability: some Bombay HC judgments are available on the HC's website and on Indian Kanoon (indiankanoon.org) — but these are not "certified copies" and cannot be used as certified copies in legal proceedings.

19. Witness Deposition / Examination Record Copies

Records of witness examination — examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination — form part of the court's case record.

Obtaining deposition records:

• Apply to the certified copy branch of the court where the witness was examined.
• These are typically produced by the Reader / Court Clerk from the case file.
• In Sessions Court matters, the deposition records are in the Sessions file.

Important for appeals: in a criminal appeal, counsel often needs the deposition records to identify contradictions in prosecution witness testimony. These must be obtained as certified copies for formal citation in appeal proceedings.

20. Bail Order Copies

Certified copies of bail orders are among the most frequently needed documents in criminal cases — for passport authority, employers, immigration purposes, and to verify conditions.

Obtaining bail order copies:

• Apply to the certified copy branch of the court that passed the bail order (Magistrate / Sessions Court / Bombay HC).
• Bail orders granted by the HC are obtainable from the HC Certified Copy Branch.
• Urgent copies are available for bail orders where the accused is about to travel.

21. What If the Court Refuses to Provide a Certified Copy?

Where a court refuses to provide a certified copy without adequate reason:

Remedy 1 — Representation to the Presiding Officer: Write a formal representation to the presiding officer of the court, citing Section 76 BSA 2023 and the right to certified copies, and requesting reasons for the refusal.

Remedy 2 — Bombay HC Petition: Where the refusal is unjustified, a petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution before the Bombay HC seeking a direction to provide the certified copy is available. The HC has exercised this jurisdiction to direct subordinate courts to supply case records.

Remedy 3 — RTI Application: For police-held documents, file an RTI application if the certified copy route is obstructed.

Remedy 4 — Complaint to Chief Judicial Magistrate / Principal Sessions Judge: An administrative complaint about the refusal or delay to the head of the court hierarchy in Mumbai — the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or the Principal Sessions Judge — can sometimes resolve the issue faster than a formal HC petition.

22. Latest Legal Position (2023–2026)

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 replaced the IEA from July 1, 2024. Section 76 BSA mirrors Section 76 IEA — the certified copy provision is substantively unchanged. Sections 230/231 BNSS mirror Sections 207/208 CrPC — the accused's right to free copies before trial is preserved.

The RTI Act 2005 continues to provide an alternative route for police-held records. Maharashtra's online court systems have expanded, though certified physical copies are still required for formal legal proceedings.

23. Landmark Judgments

• State of Punjab v. Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, (2011) 14 SCC 770 — right to access case records; fair trial rights under Article 21.
• Nandini Satpathy v. P.L. Dani, (1978) 2 SCC 424 — accused's rights in criminal proceedings; access to documents.
• Supreme Court Committee on Prison Reforms (Venkateswara Rao Report) — right to case records for under-trial prisoners.
• Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI, (2021) 10 SCC 773 — fair trial rights; access to case information.

24. Bombay High Court Position

The Bombay HC:

• Has directed Magistrate courts and Sessions courts to supply case records to accused persons who have been denied them.
• Has upheld the RTI route for obtaining police records where the certified copy procedure was obstructed.
• Has held that denial of certified copies of prosecution documents without adequate reason violates Article 21 fair trial rights.
• Operates a dedicated Certified Copy Branch that handles high volumes of applications and has established turnaround timelines.

25. Costs Involved

Standard certified copy fees (Mumbai criminal courts — indicative ranges):

Section 230/231 BNSS copies: Free of cost to the accused.

RTI application fee: ₹10 per application (no per-page fee for first copies; ₹2 per page for additional copies).

26. Timeline of Certified Copy Applications

27. Common Mistakes When Applying for Certified Copies

• Not specifying the exact document in the application — "all court orders" is too vague; specify each document with date and order number.
• Not applying urgently when the 30-day appeal limitation is running.
• Applying to the wrong court — applying to the Sessions Court for a Magistrate's order, or to one Magistrate court for documents from another.
• Not following up on the application — certified copy branches in Mumbai courts can be slow; a weekly follow-up is often necessary.
• Not keeping the acknowledgement slip — needed for tracking the application.
• Not using Section 230/231 BNSS for prosecution documents — paying for copies that the accused is entitled to receive free.
• Not using the online portal when documents are available digitally.
• Not pursuing RTI when the certified copy procedure is obstructed.

28. Risks and Limitations

• Mumbai criminal courts' certified copy branches have high volumes — standard timelines may extend during busy periods.
• RTI exemptions can prevent access to ongoing investigation records.
• Online portals do not provide certified copies — only for reference; physical certified copies are needed for formal proceedings.
• Some documents (sealed cover documents, POCSO victim details) have restricted access even for parties.
• The court registry may require the applicant or their advocate to be physically present for identification.

29. Practical Legal Advice

The most common mistake in Mumbai criminal practice is waiting too long to apply for certified copies when they are urgently needed — particularly for appeals. The 30-day appeal limitation clock starts from the date of the conviction order, not from when the certified copy is received. File the urgent certified copy application on the day of conviction.

For all other stages of the case, maintain a practice of obtaining certified copies of every significant order — bail orders, discharge orders, charge framing orders — as they are passed. Accumulating these proactively is far easier than trying to reconstruct the complete order history when an appeal or revision is needed later.

For a retired judge's guidance on obtaining certified copies of your criminal case records in Mumbai, consult at: https://aapkalegaladvice.com/lawyer/criminal-lawyers-in-mumbai/

30. Litigation Strategy

• Demand all Section 230/231 BNSS documents at the first hearing after chargesheet — they are free and must be supplied.
• File urgent certified copy application immediately after a significant adverse order — do not wait.
• Maintain a personal case file with certified copies of every order as it is passed.
• Use the RTI route for police records where the certified copy procedure is slow.
• Use eCourts for case status monitoring but use physical certified copies for formal proceedings.
• If copies are refused, escalate immediately — to the presiding judge, then to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate / Principal Sessions Judge, then to the Bombay HC.

31. Step-by-Step Action Plan

• After chargesheet is filed: demand all Section 230/231 BNSS documents at the first hearing (free of cost).
• After each significant order: file a certified copy application with the court's copy section; obtain acknowledgement slip.
• After conviction: file urgent certified copy application immediately; note the 30-day appeal deadline.
• For FIR copy: approach police station; use Maharashtra Police online portal; use RTI if needed.
• If denied certified copies: write formal representation; if unresolved, approach Bombay HC.
• Maintain a complete file of all certified copies obtained throughout the case.

32. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I obtain certified copies of my criminal case records in Mumbai? Yes — under Section 76 BSA 2023, every person with a right to inspect public documents can obtain certified copies on payment of the prescribed fee. The accused also has a free right to prosecution documents under Section 230/231 BNSS.

Q2. What documents can I get as certified copies? FIR, chargesheet, bail orders, cognisance orders, all court orders, framing of charges order, witness depositions, exhibits (copies), judgment, and sentence order.

Q3. What is Section 230 BNSS and why does it matter? Section 230 BNSS requires the Magistrate to supply the accused with free copies of all prosecution documents — FIR, chargesheet, witness statements, forensic reports — before the trial proceeds. These are free of cost.

Q4. How long does it take to get a certified copy in Mumbai? Standard: 7–21 days. Urgent: 24–72 hours. RTI for police records: up to 30 days.

Q5. Where do I apply for a certified copy in Mumbai? To the court where the case is pending or was decided — the Magistrate court's Reader section, the Sessions Court Certified Copy Section, or the Bombay HC Certified Copy Branch.

Q6. Can I get an FIR copy online? Many Maharashtra Police FIRs are available on the Maharashtra Police online portal. Check the eCourts and Maharashtra Police websites for online access.

Q7. What if I urgently need a certified copy for an appeal? File an urgent certified copy application immediately — on the day of the conviction or adverse order. Urgent copies can be prepared in 24–72 hours in Mumbai courts with the appropriate fee.

Q8. Can a third party get certified copies of a criminal case? Third parties (not party to the case) have limited rights. They can use the RTI route for police records. For court records, they must demonstrate a legitimate interest to the court.

Q9. What if the court refuses to give me certified copies? File a formal representation; if unresolved, approach the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate / Principal Sessions Judge; if still refused, file a petition before the Bombay HC under Article 226/227.

Q10. Can I use eCourts to get certified copies? eCourts provides case status and some orders electronically — but these are not "certified copies" for formal legal proceedings. For formal purposes, apply to the court's certified copy branch.

Q11. What is the RTI route for criminal records? File an RTI application under the Right to Information Act 2005 to the Public Information Officer of the concerned police station. The PIO must respond within 30 days. Useful for FIR and police investigation records.

Q12. Are Section 180 BNSS witness statements available as certified copies? To the accused: yes — they are supplied free under Section 230 BNSS. To third parties: generally no — they are not public documents in the same sense and may be withheld under RTI exemptions.

Conclusion

Obtaining certified copies of criminal case records in Mumbai is a statutory right — grounded in Section 76 BSA 2023 and the accused's specific rights under Section 230/231 BNSS. The procedure is well-established across Mumbai's Magistrate courts, Sessions Court, and Bombay High Court, with specific procedures and timelines at each level.

The most practically important point: file the urgent certified copy application the moment a significant adverse order is passed — particularly for a conviction where the 30-day appeal clock is running. Standard copy applications take weeks; urgent applications take days. In criminal cases, days can be the difference between a timely appeal and a limitation problem.

Maintain a complete personal file of certified copies of every significant order throughout the case. This practice pays dividends at every stage — appeal, revision, bail application, and eventually closure.

For a retired judge's guidance on obtaining certified copies of your criminal case records in Mumbai and the best procedure for your specific situation, consult at: [ https://aapkalegaladvice.com/lawyer/criminal-lawyers-in-mumbai/