Question

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has introduced a specific timeframe for the delivery of a judgment after the conclusion of arguments. What is that timeframe?

• A. Within 90 days, provided the reasons for delay are recorded
• B. Within a strict period of 15 days
• C. Within 30 days (extendable to 45 days)
• D. Within 60 days from the date of reserving the order

Hint:

BNSS Judgement Rule: 30 + 15 = 45. Judges now have a maximum of 45 days (with recorded reasons) to deliver their final verdict after arguments conclude!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The BNSS, 2023, aims to reduce pendency in courts by mandating strict timelines for the pronouncement of judgments in criminal trials.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Under the BNSS, the court is mandated to deliver a judgment within 30 days from the date of conclusion of arguments.
- This period can be extended for a further period of 15 days, but only if the court records the specific reasons for the delay, making it a total of 45 days in certain circumstances.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The timeframe is 30 days, extendable to 45 days. Option (C) is correct.

Answer 2

This question checks the specific timeline the BNSS, 2023 sets for delivering a judgment once arguments in a criminal trial are over, and each option proposes a different figure.

1. Option (A) - Within 90 days, provided reasons for delay are recorded: The BNSS provision on pronouncement of judgment does not set a 90-day outer limit; a figure like this appears elsewhere in the Sanhita for different procedural purposes, not for delivering judgment after arguments conclude. This option borrows a number from a different context.
2. Option (B) - Within a strict period of 15 days: Fifteen days is too short to be the primary limit; instead, it appears as the additional extension period allowed when reasons for delay are recorded, not as a standalone strict deadline. Presenting it as an independent, non-extendable rule misstates how the provision actually operates.
3. Option (C) - Within 30 days (extendable to 45 days): The BNSS requires the court to pronounce judgment within 30 days of the conclusion of arguments, with a further extension of up to 15 days (making 45 days in total) permitted only where the court records specific reasons for the delay. This matches the statutory scheme precisely.
4. Option (D) - Within 60 days from the date of reserving the order: No such 60-day figure tied to the date of reserving the order exists in this provision; it combines two ideas, a reservation date and an unconnected duration, that the Sanhita does not actually prescribe together here.

Matching the exact wording of the provision to each option shows that only the 30-day rule, extendable to 45 days for recorded reasons, tracks the law correctly.

Hence, the correct answer is Within 30 days (extendable to 45 days).