CrPC Section 468 — Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of the period of limitation

Official Text

(1) Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Code, 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. 1[

(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.]

Referred to by

• CrPC §467 — Definitions

Related Judgments

• ROMA AHUJA vs THE STATE AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2026)
• GHANSHYAM SONI vs STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH vs TARA DUTT AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (1999)
• KAMATCHI vs LAKSHMI NARAYANAN — Supreme Court of India (2022)
• NLRMAL KANTI ROY ETC. vs STATE OF WEST BENGAL ETC — Supreme Court of India (1998)
• BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED vs 1., STATE — Delhi High Court (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

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