Practice paper — BNSS Chapter XXII — Summary Trials
30 questions · answer key at the end · no time limit
samvidhan.co.in
1.Under Section 283(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which magistrates are specified to try in a summary way the offences listed in that sub-section?
- (A) Any Magistrate of the second class
- (B) Any Sessions Judge
- (C) Any Chief Judicial Magistrate or Magistrate of the first class
- (D) Any Judicial Magistrate
2.For theft, receiving or assisting in concealment of stolen property listed in Section 283(1)(i)-(iii), what is the maximum value of the property for which summary trial is specified?
- (A) Ten thousand rupees
- (B) Twenty thousand rupees
- (C) Fifty thousand rupees
- (D) No monetary limit
3.If a Magistrate decides, under Section 283(2), to try an offence summarily after giving the accused a reasonable opportunity of being heard for reasons recorded in writing, can an appeal lie against that decision to try the case summarily?
- (A) Yes, an appeal lies to the High Court against the decision to try summarily
- (B) Yes, but only after conviction or sentence is recorded
- (C) No, no appeal shall lie against the decision to try a case summarily under sub-section (2)
- (D) Only with leave of the court of appeal
4.During a summary trial under Section 283, if it appears to the Magistrate that it is undesirable to try the case summarily, what is the correct course of action?
- (A) Dismiss the complaint and discharge the accused
- (B) Recall any witnesses who may have been examined and proceed to re-hear the case in the manner provided by the Sanhita
- (C) Proceed to convict or acquit immediately on the existing evidence
- (D) Send the matter to the Sessions Court without recalling witnesses
5.Does the limitation in Section 283(2) (that the Magistrate may try in summary way offences not punishable with death or life or imprisonment exceeding three years) restrict the Magistrate's duty under Section 283(1) to try the specific listed offences summarily?
- (A) Yes — the three-year/ life/death limitation in (2) applies to all summary trials including those in (1)
- (B) No — subsection (1) operates "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Sanhita" and requires summary trial of the listed offences irrespective of the limitation in (2)
- (C) Only if the accused requests summary trial under subsection (2)
- (D) Only with the prior approval of the High Court
6.Who may confer the power to try summarily under Section 284?
- (A) The High Court
- (B) The District Magistrate
- (C) The State Government
- (D) The Supreme Court
7.What is the maximum term of imprisonment for an offence that may be tried summarily under this section?
- (A) Three months
- (B) Six months
- (C) One year
- (D) Two years
8.Can a Magistrate be given summary-trial power for an offence punishable with seven months' imprisonment under this provision?
- (A) Yes, if the offence is also punishable with fine
- (B) Yes, if the High Court specially exempts the limit
- (C) No
- (D) Yes, if the Magistrate is of second class
9.Does Section 284 permit summary trial of the abetment of an offence that falls within the class of offences mentioned in the section?
- (A) No
- (B) Only attempts are covered, not abetment
- (C) Only if the abetment carries a separate prescribed penalty
- (D) Yes
10.May the High Court confer the summary-trial power under this section on a Magistrate who is not invested with the powers of a Magistrate of the second class?
- (A) Yes, in respect of offences punishable only with fine
- (B) No
- (C) Yes, if the State Government concurs
- (D) Yes, but only for attempts and not for substantive offences
11.Under Section 285(1) of the Sanhita, which procedure shall be followed in trials under this Chapter?
- (A) The procedure specified in this Sanhita for the trial of summons-case
- (B) The procedure specified in this Sanhita for the trial of warrant-case
- (C) The procedure for appellate trials under this Sanhita
- (D) The procedure for trials by special tribunals
12.What is the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed on conviction under this Chapter as per Section 285(2)?
- (A) One month
- (B) Three months
- (C) Six months
- (D) There is no limit
13.The phrase 'except as hereinafter mentioned' in Section 285(1) means:
- (A) No deviations from the summons-case procedure are allowed under any circumstances
- (B) Deviations may only be made by a Court outside this Sanhita
- (C) Deviations from the summons-case procedure may be provided later in this Chapter
- (D) Deviations are permitted only by the Executive and not by the Chapter provisions
14.If a court is convicting an accused under this Chapter, may it impose imprisonment for exactly three months?
- (A) No, imprisonment must be less than three months
- (B) Only with a fine in addition
- (C) Only if the accused consents
- (D) Yes, imprisonment for exactly three months is permitted
15.Which statement best captures the scope of the imprisonment limitation in Section 285(2)?
- (A) The provision forbids any imprisonment for convictions under this Chapter.
- (B) It bars any single sentence of imprisonment exceeding three months but is silent about whether multiple consecutive shorter sentences that total more than three months are permitted.
- (C) It expressly limits the total aggregate imprisonment for a conviction to three months, including consecutive sentences.
- (D) It permits imprisonment exceeding three months if the court structures it as multiple sentences.
16.Under Section 286 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which particular does clause (a) require the Magistrate to enter in every summary trial?
- (A) The serial number of the case
- (B) The police station where the offence was registered
- (C) The charge-sheet number
- (D) The title of the case (party names)
17.Which entry corresponds to clause (j) of Section 286 that the Magistrate must make in a summary trial?
- (A) The date on which the sentence was pronounced
- (B) The date on which proceedings terminated
- (C) The date of commission of the offence
- (D) The date of filing of the complaint
18.Clause (e) of Section 286 requires particulars relating to the accused. Which of the following correctly states those particulars?
- (A) Name and age of the accused
- (B) Name and address of the accused
- (C) Name, parentage and residence of the accused
- (D) Name and occupation of the accused
19.When does Section 286 require the Magistrate to enter the value of the property in the record under clause (f)?
- (A) Only when the accused is convicted
- (B) Only if the complainant states the value
- (C) In all summary trial cases
- (D) In cases coming under clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) of section 283
20.If, at the end of a summary trial, no offence is proved and the accused is acquitted, which of the following entries does Section 286 still require the Magistrate to record?
- (A) The finding and the sentence or other final order
- (B) No entries are required when no offence is proved
- (C) Only the offence complained of
- (D) Only the plea of the accused
21.According to Section 287 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, what two things must the Magistrate record in every case tried summarily in which the accused does not plead guilty?
- (A) The substance of the evidence and a judgment containing a brief statement of the reasons for the finding
- (B) Only the accused's plea and the final sentence
- (C) A full verbatim record of all testimony and no judgment
- (D) Only the Magistrate's opinion without recording evidence
22.When does the duty to record the substance of evidence and a judgment with brief reasons arise under Section 287?
- (A) In every criminal trial regardless of procedure
- (B) In every case tried summarily in which the accused does not plead guilty
- (C) Only when the accused pleads guilty
- (D) Only in trials before higher courts
23.If an accused pleads guilty in a summary trial, is the Magistrate required under Section 287 to record the substance of the evidence and a judgment with brief reasons?
- (A) Yes — the requirement applies in all summary trials
- (B) Yes — but only the judgment is required, not the evidence
- (C) No — the duty under Section 287 applies when the accused does not plead guilty
- (D) No — Magistrates are never required to record reasons in summary trials
24.Does Section 287 require the Magistrate to set out detailed, exhaustive reasons for the finding in the judgment of a summary trial where the accused does not plead guilty?
- (A) Yes — the provision requires full, detailed reasons in all cases
- (B) Yes — detailed reasons but no need to record evidence
- (C) No — it requires only a brief statement of the reasons for the finding
- (D) No — it requires neither reasons nor substance of evidence
25.Under Section 287, must the Magistrate record verbatim testimony of witnesses in a summary trial where the accused does not plead guilty?
- (A) No — the Magistrate must record the substance of the evidence, not verbatim testimony
- (B) Yes — verbatim testimony is specifically required
- (C) No — the Magistrate need only record the accused's plea
- (D) Yes — but only for the accused's own testimony
26.According to Section 288(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, in what language must every such record and judgment be written?
- (A) In the language of the Court
- (B) In the language chosen by the accused
- (C) In the official language of the State
- (D) In English only
27.When a record or judgment is prepared by an officer pursuant to the High Court's authorisation under Section 288(2), who is required to sign that record or judgment?
- (A) The Chief Judicial Magistrate
- (B) Such Magistrate (the Magistrate authorised by the High Court)
- (C) A judge of the High Court
- (D) The officer who prepared the record
28.Which of the following correctly states the High Court's power under Section 288(2)?
- (A) The High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the record or judgment by means of an officer appointed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
- (B) Only the Chief Judicial Magistrate may authorise preparation of records or judgments by an officer.
- (C) The High Court may authorise any Magistrate, whether empowered for summary trials or not, to prepare records through an officer.
- (D) The High Court may authorise preparation by an officer only with the State Government's approval.
29.Under Section 288(2), who appoints the officer by means of whom the authorised Magistrate may prepare the record or judgment?
- (A) The High Court
- (B) The Chief Judicial Magistrate
- (C) The State Government
- (D) The authorised Magistrate himself
30.Can the High Court authorise a Magistrate who is not empowered to try offences summarily to prepare records or judgments by means of an officer under Section 288(2)?
- (A) Yes — the High Court may authorise any Magistrate regardless of their summary trial powers.
- (B) No — only Magistrates empowered to try offences summarily may be authorised under that provision.
- (C) Yes — but only for preparing records, not judgments.
- (D) No — unless the Chief Judicial Magistrate expressly delegates that power to the Magistrate.
Answer key
Explanations
- 1. (C) Section 283(1)(a) and (b) expressly state that "any Chief Judicial Magistrate" and "Magistrate of the first class" shall try in a summary way the offences listed. The provision does not refer to second class magistrates or Sessions Judges for this power.
- 2. (B) Clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 283(1) specify the value limit as "does not exceed twenty thousand rupees." Therefore the maximum value for those offences to be tried summarily is twenty thousand rupees.
- 3. (C) The proviso to Section 283(2) expressly states that "no appeal shall lie against the decision of a Magistrate to try a case in a summary way under this sub-section." Thus there is no appeal against that decision.
- 4. (B) Section 283(3) mandates that when it appears undesirable to try summarily, the Magistrate "shall recall any witnesses who may have been examined and proceed to re-hear the case in the manner provided by this Sanhita." Dismissal, immediate conviction/acquittal or sending to Sessions without recall are not authorised by this sub-section.
- 5. (B) Section 283(1) begins with "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Sanhita" and directs that specified magistrates "shall try in a summary way" the listed offences. Subsection (2) is a separate provision permitting summary trial for offences not punishable with death, life, or over three years. Thus (1) is independent and not constrained by (2)'s limitation.
- 6. (A) The provision begins: 'The High Court may confer on any Magistrate ... power to try summarily any offence ...'. Thus the power is conferred by the High Court.
- 7. (B) The provision authorises summary trial of offences 'punishable only with fine or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months'. Therefore the maximum term is six months.
- 8. (C) The section limits summary trial to offences punishable only with fine or with imprisonment 'not exceeding six months'. An offence punishable with seven months exceeds that limit, so the power cannot be conferred for it.
- 9. (D) The provision expressly includes 'and any abetment of or attempt to commit any such offence,' so abetment of offences within the specified class may be tried summarily.
- 10. (B) The section states the High Court may confer the power 'on any Magistrate invested with the powers of a Magistrate of the second class', so it applies only to Magistrates so invested and not to those who are not.
- 11. (A) Subsection (1) expressly provides that in trials under this Chapter the procedure specified in this Sanhita for the trial of summons-case shall be followed, subject to any exceptions mentioned later in the Chapter.
- 12. (B) Subsection (2) states that no sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding three months shall be passed for any conviction under this Chapter, so the maximum permitted term is three months.
- 13. (C) Subsection (1) directs that the summons-case procedure be followed 'except as hereinafter mentioned', which implies that later provisions in the same Chapter may specify exceptions or modifications to that procedure.
- 14. (D) Subsection (2) prohibits a sentence of imprisonment exceeding three months; it does not bar a sentence of exactly three months, so a three-month term is permitted under the text.
- 15. (B) Subsection (2) specifies that 'no sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding three months shall be passed', which prohibits a single sentence exceeding three months but does not expressly address the question of multiple consecutive shorter sentences totaling more than three months.
- 16. (A) Clause (a) of Section 286 expressly requires the Magistrate to enter "the serial number of the case." The provision lists this as the first particular to be recorded in summary trials.
- 17. (B) Clause (j) of Section 286 requires entry of "the date on which proceedings terminated." The provision lists this as one of the particulars to be recorded.
- 18. (C) Clause (e) specifically requires entry of "the name, parentage and residence of the accused." The exact trio is listed in the provision.
- 19. (D) Clause (f) states that the value of the property must be entered "in cases coming under clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) of section 283." It is therefore required only in those specified cases.
- 20. (A) Section 286 requires recording the "finding" (clause (h)) and "the sentence or other final order" (clause (i)). Even if no offence is proved, the finding (e.g., acquittal) and the final order must be entered.
- 21. (A) The provision states that in every summary trial where the accused does not plead guilty, the Magistrate shall record the substance of the evidence and a judgment containing a brief statement of the reasons for the finding. Thus both the substance of evidence and a judgment with brief reasons are required.
- 22. (B) The provision specifically applies to "every case tried summarily in which the accused does not plead guilty." It does not extend that duty to cases where the accused pleads guilty or to all criminal trials generally.
- 23. (C) Section 287 imposes this recording duty specifically in cases "in which the accused does not plead guilty." Therefore if the accused pleads guilty, that particular requirement does not apply under the text of the provision.
- 24. (C) The provision mandates a judgment containing a "brief statement of the reasons for the finding," not a full or exhaustive set of reasons. It therefore requires brevity rather than detailed, exhaustive reasons.
- 25. (A) Section 287 requires the Magistrate to "record the substance of the evidence," which means a summary of the evidence rather than verbatim transcripts. The provision does not mandate word‑for‑word recording of testimony.
- 26. (A) Sub‑section (1) states: "Every such record and judgment shall be written in the language of the Court." Therefore the record/judgment must be written in the language of the Court, not in the accused's choice or any other language.
- 27. (B) Sub‑section (2) provides that the record or judgment so prepared "shall be signed by such Magistrate." Thus the Magistrate authorised by the High Court must sign it, not the CJM, the officer, or a High Court judge.
- 28. (A) Sub‑section (2) expressly provides that the High Court may authorise any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily to prepare the record or judgment by means of an officer appointed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. It does not make such authorisation exclusive to the CJM or require State Government approval.
- 29. (B) Section 288(2) states the preparation may be "by means of an officer appointed in this behalf by the Chief Judicial Magistrate," so the officer is appointed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, not by the High Court, State Government, or the Magistrate himself.
- 30. (B) Section 288(2) limits the High Court's authorisation to "any Magistrate empowered to try offences summarily." Therefore Magistrates not so empowered are not covered by this authorisation; the provision does not create exceptions for only records or require CJM delegation.