Here are few time-lines provided by the new CrPC avatar : The BNSS.
| Action | Time limits |
| Conducting Preliminary enquiry | Within 14 days |
| Electronic communication of FIR | Must be signed within 3 days |
| Forward of audio-video recording to DM/SDM u/s 105 BNSS | Without delay |
| Forward of daily dairy report to magistrate | Fortnightly |
| Medical examination report of rape victim by to IO | Within 7 days |
| Copies of record of search u/s 185(1) and (3) of BNSS to magistrate | Forthwith but no later than 48 hours |
| Enquiry report to DM/SDM | Within 24 hours |
| Handover of arrested person by private person to the police | Within 6 hours |
| Further investigation (after completion of investigation) | Within 90 days |
| Informing the victim of the progress of investigation | Within 90 days |
| Investigation completion in POCSO, Rape and Gang Rape cases. | 2 months |
| Action | Time Limits |
| Deemed Sanction (if Sanction not granted by concerned authority – in cases against public servants)* | After failure to grant within 120 days |
| Completion of Committal proceedings to Court of Session | 90 days extendable to 180 days |
| Application for discharge by accused | Within 60 days from committal of the case |
| Time given to complainant to be present before discharging the accused in case the complainant is absent | 30 days |
| Framing of charge | Within 60 days from first hearing on charge |
| Judgement | Within 30 days from completion of arguments extendable to 45 days |
| Admission and denial of documents | Within 30 days of supply of documents |
| Preparation of a ‘Statement of property’ for disposal of properties seized. | Within 14 days from production |
| Disposal by court | Within 30 days after statement |
| Application for plea bargaining | 30 days of framing of charges |
Comment:
Except the Sanction time-line, no consequence has been provided for violation of the other time-lines. The expression used in those sections is indeed “shall” indicating that the time-line is mandatory but, as has been the case with many many other time-lines in many many other laws, practically, a breach may invite strictures in a given case (against the official concerned) but would not invalidate the proceedings.
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