Exclusion of time in certain cases
AI Assist
Summary
Time spent pursuing another prosecution with due diligence is not counted in the limitation period, if it involved the same facts, was in good faith, and the court could not entertain it due to lack of jurisdiction or similar defect. Periods when prosecution is stayed by an injunction or order (including the day it was made and withdrawn) are excluded. Time taken for required notice or for obtaining Government/authority consent, and any period the offender is abroad or is absconding or concealing himself, are also excluded.
Example
Ravi files a private complaint in a lower court about a neighbour stealing goods, but that court lacks jurisdiction. He diligently pursues appeal and takes six months before he can start a fresh prosecution. Those six months are excluded when computing the limitation for the new prosecution.
Bare Act
Enacted text(1) In computing the period of limitation, the time during which any person has been prosecuting with due diligence another prosecution, whether in a Court of first instance or in a Court of appeal or revision, against the offender, shall be excluded:
Provided that no such exclusion shall be made unless the prosecution relates to the same facts and is prosecuted in good faith in a Court which from defect of jurisdiction or other cause of a like nature, is unable to entertain it.
(2) Where the institution of the prosecution in respect of an offence has been stayed by an injunction or order, then, in computing the period of limitation, the period of the continuance of the injunction or order, the day on which it was issued or made, and the day on which it was withdrawn, shall be excluded.
(3) Where notice of prosecution for an offence has been given, or where, under any law for the time being in force, the previous consent or sanction of the Government or any other authority is required for the institution of any prosecution for an offence, than, in computing the period of limitation, the period of such notice or, as the case may be, the time required for obtaining such consent or sanction shall be excluded.
Explanation
– In computing the time required for obtaining the consent or sanction of the Government or any other authority, the date on which the application was made for obtaining the consent or sanction and the date of receipt of the order of the Government or other authority shall both be excluded.
(1) In computing the period of limitation, the time during which the offender:
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(a) has been absent from the India or from any territory outside India which is under the administration of the Central Government, or
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(b) has avoided arrest by absconding or concealing himself,
shall be excluded.
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