Based on Chapter XVII (Commencement of Proceedings Before Magistrates) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), here are 30 preliminary-style questions designed to test your memory, logic, and understanding of Sections 227 to 233.

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BNSS Chapter XVII: Smart Prelims Practice Set

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I. Issue of Process & Attendance (Sections 227–228)

Q1. Under Section 227(1), if a Magistrate takes cognizance and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding in a "summons-case," he shall issue:

A) A warrant for the arrest of the accused.

B) A summons for the attendance of the accused.

C) A public proclamation in a newspaper.

D) A notice to the High Court.

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Q2. In a "warrant-case," Section 227(1)(b) provides that the Magistrate may issue:

A) Only a warrant of arrest.

B) Only a summons.

C) A warrant or, if he thinks fit, a summons.

D) An order of attachment of property.

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Q3. According to the NEW BNSS proviso in Section 227(1), summons or warrants may also be issued through:

A) Verbal orders by a police officer.

B) Electronic means.

C) Only through registered speed post.

D) Only through a Court Bailiff.

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Q4. Under Section 227(3), no summons or warrant shall be issued against the accused until:

A) The accused has paid the Court fees.

B) A list of the prosecution witnesses has been filed.

C) The victim has signed the chargesheet.

D) The High Court has approved the investigation.

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Q5. If a case is instituted upon a complaint, Section 227(2) mandates that every summons or warrant shall be accompanied by:

A) A copy of the FIR.

B) A copy of the medical report.

C) A copy of such complaint.

D) A photograph of the accused.

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Q6. If the "process-fees" are not paid within a reasonable time, the Magistrate may:

A) Arrest the complainant.

B) Dismiss the complaint under Section 227(4).

C) Transfer the case to the District Magistrate.

D) Fine the witnesses.

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Q7. Under Section 228(1), a Magistrate may dispense with the personal attendance of the accused if:

A) The accused is a high-ranking government official.

B) The Magistrate sees "reasons so to do" and issues a summons.

C) The accused is a minor child.

D) Only if the trial is for a non-cognizable offence.

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Q8. If a Magistrate has dispensed with the personal attendance of an accused under Section 228, can he later require the accused to attend in person?

A) No, once dispensed, it is final.

B) Yes, at any stage of the proceedings.

C) Only during the delivery of the judgment.

D) Only with the permission of the Sessions Judge.

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II. Petty Offences & Special Summons (Section 229)

Q9. Under Section 229, a "petty offence" for the purpose of special summons means any offence punishable only with fine not exceeding:

A) One thousand rupees.

B) Two thousand rupees.

C) Five thousand rupees.

D) Ten thousand rupees.

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Q10. A special summons under Section 229 allows the accused to plead guilty without appearing by transmitting:

A) A video message to the Court.

B) A letter containing his plea and the fine specified.

C) A request for a plea bargain.

D) A verbal statement through a relative.

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Q11. Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the definition of a "petty offence" under Section 229?

A) Offences under the Motor Vehicles Act.

B) Offences punishable with community service.

C) Offences where the fine is ₹4,000.

D) Both A and other laws providing for guilty pleas in absence.

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Q12. If an accused desires to plead guilty through an advocate under Section 229, he must:

A) Inform the police station verbally.

B) Authorize the advocate in writing to make such plea and pay the fine.

C) Pay double the fine to avoid appearance.

D) Only appear via audio-video conferencing.

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III. Supply of Documents to the Accused (Sections 230–231)

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Q13. In a case instituted on a police report, Section 230 mandates that the Magistrate shall supply the police report and other documents to the accused:

A) Within seven days of arrest.

B) Within fourteen days from the date of production or appearance.

C) Only after the charges are framed.

D) On the day of judgment.

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Q14. Which of the following documents is NOT specifically mentioned in Section 230 for supply to the accused?

A) The police report.

B) FIR recorded under Section 173.

C) Confessions and statements recorded under Section 183.

D) The personal diary of the victim.

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Q15. Under the BNSS proviso to Section 230, if a document is "voluminous," the Magistrate may:

A) Refuse to supply it entirely.

B) Direct that the accused or his advocate be allowed to inspect it in Court or furnish copies through electronic means.

C) Require the accused to pay for its printing at market rates.

D) Order the police to summarize it into one page.

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Q16. Section 231 deals with the supply of documents in cases instituted:

A) Only on a police report.

B) Otherwise than on a police report, where the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of Session.

C) Only in non-cognizable cases.

D) Only in petty cases.

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Q17. Under Section 231, if documents are supplied in electronic form, they shall be considered:

A) Only as secondary evidence.

B) As duly furnished.

C) Valid only if printed and signed.

D) Invalid unless verified by a Magistrate.

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Q18. If a Magistrate is satisfied that any part of a statement should be excluded from the accused (S. 230), he must:

A) Burn that part of the statement.

B) Consider the reasons given by the police officer and direct that a copy of that part be furnished or not.

C) Refer the matter to the High Court for every exclusion.

D) Ask the accused for permission to exclude it.

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IV. Committal of Cases (Section 232)

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Q19. Under Section 232, a Magistrate shall commit a case to the Court of Session if the offence is:

A) Punishable with more than 3 years' imprisonment.

B) Triable exclusively by the Court of Session.

C) A non-bailable offence.

D) Only if the accused is a proclaimed offender.

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Q20. When committing a case under Section 232, the Magistrate is required to:

A) Acquit the accused if there is no evidence.

B) Remand the accused to custody during and until the conclusion of the trial (subject to bail).

C) Conduct a full trial and then send the judgment to the Sessions Court.

D) Decide the final punishment and then commit.

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Q21. According to Section 232(d), the Magistrate must notify which authority of the commitment of the case?

A) The District Magistrate.

B) The Public Prosecutor.

C) The High Court Registrar.

D) The Superintendent of Police.

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Q22. Case Law Check: According to the case law, does a committing Magistrate have the power to discharge the accused in a case triable exclusively by the Court of Session?

A) Yes, if he finds no grounds.

B) No, the committing Magistrate has no power to discharge in such cases (Sanjay Gandhi v. UOI logic).

C) Only if the police report suggests discharge.

D) Only in murder cases.

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Q23. True or False: The stage of committal of a case to the Court of Session is considered a "stage of trial."

A) True.

B) False

(According to Hardeep Singh v. State, it is neither a stage of inquiry nor trial).

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V. Concurrent Complaint & Police Cases (Section 233)

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Q24. Under Section 233(1), if a Magistrate is inquiring into a complaint case and it appears that a police investigation is also in progress for the same offence, he shall:

A) Dismiss the complaint.

B) Stay the proceedings of the complaint case and call for a report from the police officer.

C) Merge the two cases immediately without staying anything.

D) Arrest the police officer.

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Q25. If the police report under Section 193 relates to any person who is an accused in the complaint case, the Magistrate shall:

A) Try the cases separately in two different Courts.

B) Inquire into or try together both cases as if both were instituted on a police report.

C) Dismiss the police report.

D) Proceed only with the complaint case.

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Q26. If the police report (Section 233(3)) does NOT relate to any accused in the complaint case, what must the Magistrate do?

A) Dismiss both cases.

B) Proceed with the stayed inquiry or trial of the complaint case.

C) Transfer both cases to the Sessions Court.

D) Release all accused persons.

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Q27. Logic: Why does Section 233 require staying the complaint case?

A) To give the Magistrate a vacation.

B) To ensure the police can finish their work and prevent conflicting findings/double trials for the same transaction.

C) To protect the victim from police interference.

D) Only to wait for the forensic report.

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VI. Scenario-Based & Problem-Solving

Q28. 'A' is accused of an offence triable exclusively by the Court of Session. The Magistrate discovers that the police report and statements have not been supplied to 'A' within 14 days. What is the duty of the Magistrate under Section 232?

A) He must dismiss the case.

B) He must commit the case immediately anyway.

C) He must comply with Section 230 or 231 (supply of documents) BEFORE committing the case.

D) He must fine the Investigating Officer.

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Q29. An accused is issued a special summons for a petty offence under Section 229 with a specified fine of ₹3,000. The accused ignores the summons and fails to plead guilty or appear. What can the Magistrate do?

A) He must automatically convict the accused for ₹3,000.

B) He may issue a warrant of arrest to compel appearance for a standard trial.

C) He must double the fine.

D) He cannot take any further action.

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Q30. 'B' files a private complaint for robbery. Simultaneously, the police file a chargesheet for the same robbery against the same person. The Magistrate decides to try them together under Section 233. How will the trial be treated?

A) As a complaint case.

B) As if both cases were instituted on a police report.

C) As a summary trial.

D) As a civil dispute.

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Answer Key

1. B (S. 227(1)(a))

2. C (S. 227(1)(b))

3. B (S. 227(1) Proviso)

4. B (S. 227(3))

5. C (S. 227(2))

6. B (S. 227(4))

7. B (S. 228(1))

8. B (S. 228(2))

9. C (S. 229(2))

10. B (S. 229(1))

11. D (S. 229(2) and (1) Proviso)

12. B (S. 229(1))

13. B (S. 230)

14. D (S. 230)

15. B (S. 230 Proviso 2)

16. B (S. 231)

17. B (S. 231 Proviso 2)

18. B (S. 230 Proviso 1)

19. B (S. 232)

20. B (S. 232(a) and (b))

21. B (S. 232(d))

22. B (Sanjay Gandhi case law note at S. 232)

23. B (Hardeep Singh case law note at S. 232)

24. B (S. 233(1))

25. B (S. 233(2))

26. B (S. 233(3))

27. B (Procedural logic)

28. C (S. 232(a))

29. B (Standard procedural rule under S. 227/90)

30. B (S. 233(2))