Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the period of limitation for taking cognizance of…

Section 514(2)(c) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly section 468(2)(c) CrPC) prescribes three years when the offence is punishable with imprisonment exceeding one year but not exceeding three years. The statutory starting point under section 515, the exclusions and the power of extension under section 519 qualify this ordinary period. The Explanation to section 514 makes the date of filing the complaint or recording the information the relevant date, consistent with Sarah Mathew, which held that timely institution of prosecution or filing of the complaint is relevant, rather than a later court delay in taking cognizance. Offences carrying longer maximum imprisonment fall outside this three-year clause.