(1) For every distinct offence of which any person is accused there shall be a separate charge, and every such charge shall be tried separately:
Provided that where the accused person, by an application in writing, so desires and the Magistrate is of opinion that such person is not likely to be prejudiced thereby, the Magistrate may try together all or any number of the charges framed against such person.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall affect the operation of the provisions of sections 219, 220, 221 and 223.
Illustration
A is accused of a theft on one occasion, and of causing grievous hurt on another
occasion. A must be separately charged and separately tried for the theft and
causing grievous hurt.
Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
212 CrPC Particulars as to time, place and person
213 CrPC When manner of committing offence must be stated
214 CrPC Words in charge taken in sense of law under which offence is punishable
216 CrPC Court may alter charge
217 CrPC Recall of witnesses when charge altered
218 CrPC Separate charges for distinct offences
219 CrPC Three offences of same kind within year may be charged together