BNSS Section 514 — Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of period of limitation

CHAPTER XXXVIII LIMITATION FOR TAKING COGNIZANCE OF CERTAIN OFFENCES

Criminal

Summary

A court cannot start hearing a case for certain types of offences if too much time has passed since the complaint was filed or the information was recorded. The time limit depends on the punishment for the offence: six months if the only punishment is a fine, one year if the maximum imprisonment is one year or less, and three years if the maximum imprisonment is more than one year but not more than three years. If multiple offences are being heard together, the time limit is based on the offence with the most severe punishment.

Official Text

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Sanhita, no Court shall take cognizance of an offence of the category specified in sub-section (2), after the expiry of the period of limitation.

(2) The period of limitation shall be—

(a) six months, if the offence is punishable with fine only;

(b) one year, if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year;

(c) three years, if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding three years.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the period of limitation, in relation to offences which may be tried together, shall be determined with reference to the offence which is punishable with the more severe punishment or, as the case may be, the most severe punishment.

Explanation.—For the purpose of computing the period of limitation, the relevant date shall be the date of filing complaint under section 223 or the date of recording of information under section 173.

Related Judgments

  • SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.8 p.785 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • CrPC §468 — Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of period of limitation