Procedural fairness lies at the heart of the criminal justice system, guaranteeing that legal proceedings are carried out with legality, impartiality, and openness. In the Indian context, the adjudication of summons cases is a significant component of criminal justice, as it offers a streamlined process for offences that do not meet the threshold for warrant cases. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) in relevant proceedings, continues to provide a distinct procedural structure for summons cases in Chapter XXI, covering Sections 274–282. This research examines the extent to which the BNSS safeguards procedural fairness while promoting speedy and efficient disposal of criminal cases. It analyses the statutory provisions governing the statement of accusation, guilty pleas, examination of evidence, acquittal and conviction, absence of the complainant, withdrawal of complaints, discontinuance of proceedings and conversion of summons cases into warrant cases. The study also evaluates these provisions in light of the constitutional guarantees under Articles 14, 21 and 22 of the Constitution of India and the principles of natural justice. Although the BNSS retains the basic structure of summons-case procedure, its express provision under Section 274 permitting discharge where the accusation is groundless is significant. Nevertheless, questions remain concerning the adequacy of notice, the voluntariness of guilty pleas, access to legal assistance, the meaningful opportunity to defend oneself and the exercise of judicial discretion. The study argues that procedural simplification should not result in the dilution of the accused's fundamental rights. It concludes that the effectiveness of the BNSS must be evaluated not merely by the speed of disposal but also by the fairness, transparency and reliability of judicial outcomes.