Based on Chapter XXXVIII (Limitation for Taking Cognizance of Certain Offences) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), here are 30  preliminary examination questions covering Sections 513 to 519 with Answers in the end.

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Chapter XXXVIII: Limitation for Taking Cognizance

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Q1. According to Section 513, what does the term "period of limitation" specifically refer to in this chapter? 

A) The time within which an investigation must be completed
B) The period specified in Section 514 for taking cognizance of an offence
C) The time allowed for filing an appeal against conviction
D) The duration an accused can be kept in judicial remand

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Q2. Under Section 514(2)(a), what is the period of limitation for an offence punishable with fine only? 

A) Three months
B) Six months
C) One year
D) No limitation

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Q3. If an offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, what is the limitation period under Section 514(2)(b)? 

A) Six months
B) One year
C) Two years
D) Three years

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Q4. For an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding three years, the limitation period is: 

A) One year
B) Three years
C) Five years
D) Seven years

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Q5. According to the Explanation to Section 514, what is the "relevant date" for computing the period of limitation? 

A) The date the Magistrate takes cognizance
B) The date the charge sheet is filed in Court
C) The date of filing the complaint or recording the information (FIR)
D) The date the accused is first produced before the Court

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Q6. Under Section 515(1)(a), the period of limitation in relation to an offender normally commences on: 

A) The date the FIR is registered
B) The date of the offence
C) The date the investigation is completed
D) The date the summons is issued

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Q7. If the commission of an offence was not known to the person aggrieved or to any police officer, when does the limitation period commence? 

A) On the date the offence was actually committed
B) On the day the offence comes to the knowledge of such person or police officer, whichever is earlier
C) One month after the discovery of the offence
D) Only after a forensic report confirms the offence

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Q8. When it is unknown by whom an offence has been committed, the period of limitation commences on the first day on which: 

A) The police identify a suspect
B) The identity of the offender is known to the aggrieved person or the police
C) The accused is arrested
D) The investigation is officially sanctioned

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Q9. Section 516(1) provides that in computing limitation, the time during which a person has been prosecuting another proceeding shall be excluded if: 

A) The proceeding relates to a civil matter
) The proceeding was prosecuted with due diligence in a Court which lacked jurisdiction
C) The accused requested the delay
D) The High Court has not yet decided the case

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Q10. Is the period during which the institution of the prosecution has been stayed by an injunction or order excluded from the limitation period?

A) No, limitation continues to run
B) Yes, under Section 516(1)
C) Only if the stay lasted more than six months
D) Only in cases involving public property

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Q11. Under Section 516(3), if the previous sanction of the Government is required for a prosecution, how is the period of limitation affected?

 A) The time required for obtaining such sanction shall be excluded
B) The limitation period is doubled
C) The limitation starts only after the sanction is granted
D) Sanction requirements do not affect limitation

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Q12. According to the Explanation to Section 516, which dates are excluded when calculating the time for obtaining Government consent or sanction? 

A) Only the date of the final order
B) Both the date on which the application was made and the date of receipt of the order
C) Only the business days between application and receipt
D) No specific dates are excluded

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Q13. The time during which an offender has been absent from India is excluded from the limitation period under which section? 

A) Section 514
B) Section 515
C) Section 516(4)(a)
D) Section 517

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Q14. If an offender avoids arrest by absconding or concealing himself, the period of such absconding is:

 A) Included in the limitation period
B) Excluded from the limitation period under Section 516(4)(b)
C) Grounds for doubling the fine
D) Only excluded if a proclamation is issued

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Q15. What is the rule under Section 517 if the period of limitation expires on a day when the Court is closed? 

A) The prosecution is barred
B) The Court may take cognizance on the day the Court reopens
C) The limitation is extended by 30 days automatically
D) The complainant must file an affidavit for delay

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Q16. For the purposes of Section 517, a Court is "deemed to be closed" if: 

A) It is a public holiday
B) It remains closed during its normal working hours on that day
C) The Judge is on leave
D) The electricity in the building is disconnected

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Q17. In the case of a "continuing offence" under Section 518, when does a fresh period of limitation begin to run?

A) At the first moment the offence is committed
B) At every moment of the time during which the offence continues
C) Only when the offence is discovered by the police
D) When the accused receives a notice to stop

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Q18. Section 519 empowers a Court to take cognizance after the expiry of limitation if it is satisfied that: 

A) The accused has a history of crime
B) The delay has been properly explained or it is necessary to do so in the interests of justice
C) The Public Prosecutor is very busy
D) The victim is a high-ranking official

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Q19. (Case Law) According to the case law Sarah Mathew v. Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases, the date for determining limitation is: 

A) The date of the Magistrate's order
B) The date of the institution of prosecution/criminal proceedings
C) The date the accused appears in Court
D) The date the trial commences

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Q20. Is there a period of limitation for an offence punishable with imprisonment for seven years? 

A) Yes, three years
B) Yes, seven years
C) No, Chapter XXXVIII only specifies limitation for offences up to three years
D) Yes, ten years 

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Q21. Under Section 514(3), the limitation for an offence tried together with another offence is determined by: 

A) The offence with the shorter punishment
B) The offence with the more severe punishment
C) The average of both punishments
D) The Magistrate's discretion

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Q22. An offence under Section 280 of BNS is punishable by fine only. A complaint is filed 8 months after the offence. Is it barred? 

A) No, fine-only cases have no limit
B) Yes, the limit is six months under Section 514(2)(a)
C) No, the limit is one year
D) Yes, because 90 days have passed

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Q23. If a Magistrate takes cognizance of an offence after 4 years for a crime punishable with 2 years imprisonment, but the interests of justice require it, which section validates this? 

A) Section 514
B) Section 516
C) Section 518
D) Section 519

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Q24. (Statement Based) Regarding the commencement of limitation: 

Statement I: It begins on the date the police report is submitted. 

Statement II: It begins on the date of the offence.

A) Only I is correct
B) Only II is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct 

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Q25. Which of the following is EXCLUDED while computing the period of limitation? 

A) Sundays and public holidays
B) Time taken for the accused to hire an advocate
C) Time during which the offender has been absent from India
D) Time during which the complainant was on vacation 

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Q26. For a "continuing offence," as per case law, the liability continues until: 

A) The police file a closure report
B) The rule or requirement is obeyed or complied with
C) The accused is acquitted
D) Three years have passed since the first act

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Q27. The requirement to "properly explain" a delay for extension under Section 519 applies to:

 A) Only the accused
B) Both the facts and circumstances of the case
C) Only the investigating officer
D) Only non-cognizable cases

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Q28. If a sanction application was made on March 1st and the order was received on April 1st, how many days are excluded from the limitation? 

A) 30 days
B) 31 days
C) 32 days (including both the day of application and receipt)
D) No days are excluded 

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Q29. What happens to the limitation if an offender hides in his own house to avoid arrest? 

A) Limitation continues to run
B) Limitation is excluded as he is "concealing himself" under Section 516(4)(b)
C) The case is dismissed
D) The limitation is reduced by half

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Q30. Chapter XXXVIII of the BNSS corresponds to which chapter of the old CrPC? 

A) Chapter XXXII
B) Chapter XXXVI
C) Chapter XIV
D) Chapter XX

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Answer Key

1. B (S. 513)

2. B (S. 514(2)(a))

3. B (S. 514(2)(b))

4. B (S. 514(2)(c))

5. C (S. 514 Explanation)

6. B (S. 515(1)(a))

7. B (S. 515(1)(b))

8. B (S. 515(1)(c))

9. B (S. 516(1)-(2))

10. B (S. 516(1))

11. A (S. 516(3))

12. B (S. 516 Explanation)

13. C (S. 516(4)(a))

14. B (S. 516(4)(b))

15. B (S. 517)

16. B (S. 517 Explanation)

17. B (S. 518)

18. B (S. 519)

19. B (Sarah Mathew v. Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (2014) 2 SCC 62 states that the date relevant for the computation of the period of limitation is the "date when criminal complaint is filed or date of institution of prosecution/criminal proceedings," and specifically notes it is not the date when a court or Magistrate takes cognizance. This aligns perfectly with Option B. Additionally, the Explanation to Section 514 of the BNSS, 2023, reinforces this by stating that the "relevant date" is the date of filing the complaint or recording the information)

20. C (S. 514(2) limit is only for offences up to 3 years)

21. B (S. 514(3))

22. B (S. 514(2)(a))

23. D (S. 519)

24. B (S. 515(1))

25. C (S. 516(4))

26. B 

27. B (S. 519)

28. C (S. 516 Explanation)

29. B (S. 516(4)(b))

30. B (Ref: 786)