Continuing offence

For an offence that continues over time, a fresh period of limitation starts to run at every moment the offence continues. The limitation clock therefore keeps renewing for as long as the wrongful conduct persists. Consequence: prosecution will not become time-barred while the offence is ongoing.

Priya’s neighbour dumps sewage into her garden every week for several months. Because the leakage is a continuing offence, a fresh period of limitation runs at each moment it continues, so Priya can still file a complaint and prosecution will not be time-barred for the ongoing course of conduct.