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The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898

( ACT NO. V OF 1898 )

Chapter XXIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO INQUIRIES AND TRIALS

Time for disposal of cases
339C.(1) A Magistrate shall conclude the trial of a case within 1[one hundred and eighty days] from the date on which the case is 2[received by him] for trial.
 
 
(2) A Sessions Judge, an Additional Sessions Judge or an Assistant Sessions Judge shall conclude the trial of a case within 3[three hundred and sixty days] from the date on which the case is received by him for trial.
 
 
4[(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), where a person is accused in several cases and such cases are brought for trial before a Magistrate or a Court of Session, the time limit specified in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) for the trial of such cases shall run consecutively.]
 
 
5[(2B) Notwithstanding the transfer of a case from one Court to another Court, the time specified in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be the time for concluding the trial of a case.]
 
 
(3) [Omitted by section 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Second Amendment) Act, 1992 (Act No. XLII of 1992).]
 
 
6[(4) If a trial cannot be concluded within the specified time, the accused in the case, if he is accused of a non-bailable offence, may be released on bail to the satisfaction of the Court, unless for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Court otherwise directs.]
 
 
7[(5) Nothing in this section shall apply to the trial of a case under section 400 or 401 of the Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860), or to the trial of case to which the provisions of Chapter XXXIV apply.]
 
 
8[(6) In this section, in determining the time for the purpose of a trial,-
 
 
9[* * *]
 
 
(b) the days spent on account of the absconsion of an accused after his release on bail, if any, shall not be counted.]

  • 1
    The words "one hundred and eighty days" were substituted, for the words "one hundred and twenty days" by section 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Second Amendment) Act, 1992 (Act No. XLII of 1992)
  • 2
    The words "received by him" were substituted, for the words and comma "taken cognizance of, or received by him" by section 11 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 1982 (Ordinance No. LX of 1982)
  • 3
    The words "three hundred and sixty days" were substituted, for the words "two hundred and forty days" by section 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Second Amendment) Act, 1992 (Act No. XLII of 1992)
  • 4
    Sub-section (2A) was inserted by section 11 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 1982 (Ordinance No. LX of 1982)
  • 5
    Sub-section (2B) was inserted by section 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1991 (Act No. XVI of 1991)
  • 6
    Sub-section (4) was substituted, for the former sub-section (4) by section 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Second Amendment) Act, 1992 (Act No. XLII of 1992)
  • 7
    Sub-section (5) was substituted, for the former sub-section (5) by section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 1985 (Ordinance No. XXIX of 1985)
  • 8
    Sub-section (6) was substituted, for the former sub-section (6) by section 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1991 (Act No. XVI of 1991)
  • 9
    Clause (a) was omitted by section 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Second Amendment) Act, 1992 (Act No. XLII of 1992)
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