65 exam-style questions on this chapter, written from the actual legal text and tagged for UPSC, Judiciary and CLAT. Five are shown below with answers and explanations — the rest are in the free interactive drill.
Q1 · easy · BNSS S.210
Which of the following is NOT a mode by which a Magistrate may take cognizance under Section 210(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?
- A.Upon receiving a complaint of facts (including complaints under a special law)
- B.Upon a police report (submitted in any mode including electronic mode)
- C.Upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or upon his own knowledge
- D.Upon direction of the High Court✓ correct
Why: Section 210(1) lists three modes: receiving a complaint (sub‑clause (a)), upon a police report including electronic mode (sub‑clause (b)), and upon information from any person other than a police officer or upon his own knowledge (sub‑clause (c)). There is no provision in (1) for cognizance on a High Court direction.
Read Section 210 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate →Q2 · easy · BNSS S.210
Who may empower a Magistrate of the second class to take cognizance under Section 210(2)?
- A.The Chief Judicial Magistrate✓ correct
- B.The District Magistrate
- C.The High Court
- D.The State Government
Why: Section 210(2) expressly states that the Chief Judicial Magistrate may empower any Magistrate of the second class to take cognizance under sub‑section (1). No other authority is mentioned in this provision.
Read Section 210 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate →Q3 · medium · BNSS S.210
Can a Magistrate of the second class take cognizance under Section 210(1) of any offence without being specially empowered under subsection (2)?
- A.Yes — if the offence is minor and within local limits
- B.No — only if he is specially empowered under sub‑section (2)✓ correct
- C.Yes — he has the same automatic power as a Magistrate of the first class
- D.Only if a police report has been filed
Why: Section 210(1) distinguishes between a Magistrate of the first class (generally empowered) and a Magistrate of the second class who must be "specially empowered" under sub‑section (2). Thus a second‑class magistrate needs such empowerment to take cognizance under (1).
Read Section 210 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate →Q4 · medium · BNSS S.210
Does Section 210(1)(b) permit a Magistrate to take cognizance on a police report submitted in electronic mode?
- A.Yes — the police report may be submitted in any mode including electronic mode✓ correct
- B.Yes — but only if a printed copy is filed in court later
- C.No — electronic reports are excluded
- D.Only if the accused is present when the electronic report is submitted
Why: Section 210(1)(b) explicitly provides for cognizance "upon a police report (submitted in any mode including electronic mode)", thereby permitting electronic submission. There is no requirement in this provision for a later printed copy or presence of the accused.
Read Section 210 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate →Q5 · hard · BNSS S.210
If the Chief Judicial Magistrate empowers a Magistrate of the second class under Section 210(2), what is the legal limitation on the offences he may take cognizance of?
- A.He may take cognizance of any offence the Chief Judicial Magistrate specifies, regardless of his trial competence
- B.He may take cognizance only of offences for which a complaint (and not a police report) has been filed
- C.He may take cognizance only of offences that are within his competence to inquire into or try✓ correct
- D.He may take cognizance of complaints but not police reports
Why: Section 210(2) states the Chief Judicial Magistrate may empower a second‑class magistrate to take cognizance under sub‑section (1) "of such offences as are within his competence to inquire into or try." Thus empowerment is limited to offences within his inquiry/trial competence.
Read Section 210 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate →60 more questions on Conditions Requisite For Initiation Of Proceedings
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