246. What persons may be charged jointly.

The following persons may be charged and tried together, namely:—

1. persons accused of the same offence committed in the course of the same transaction;
2. persons accused of an offence and persons accused of abetment of, or attempt to commit, such offence;
3. persons accused of more than one offence of the same kind, within the meaning of section 242, committed by them jointly within the period of twelve months;
4. persons accused of different offences committed in the course of the same transaction;
5. persons accused of an offence which includes theft, extortion, cheating, or criminal misappropriation, and persons accused of receiving or retaining, or assisting in the disposal or concealment of, property possession of which is alleged to have been transferred by any such offence committed by the first-named persons, or of abetment of or attempting to commit any such last-named offence;
6. persons accused of offences under sections 303 and 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023;

Provided that where a number of persons are charged with separate offences and such persons do not fall within any of the categories specified in this section but the said persons, by an application in writing, jointly or severally, desire to be tried together, the Court may, if it is satisfied that such persons would not be prejudicially affected and it is in the interest of justice, try all of them together.