सं Samvidhan

BNSS · Chapter XXII

Summary Trials — MCQs with answers

30 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.283

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?

  1. A.Any Magistrate of the second class
  2. B.Any Sessions Judge
  3. C.Any Chief Judicial Magistrate or Magistrate of the first class✓ correct
  4. D.Any Judicial Magistrate

Why: 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.

Read Section 283 — Power to try summarily →

Q2 · easy · BNSS S.283

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?

  1. A.Ten thousand rupees
  2. B.Twenty thousand rupees✓ correct
  3. C.Fifty thousand rupees
  4. D.No monetary limit

Why: 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.

Read Section 283 — Power to try summarily →

Q3 · medium · BNSS S.283

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?

  1. A.Yes, an appeal lies to the High Court against the decision to try summarily
  2. B.Yes, but only after conviction or sentence is recorded
  3. C.No, no appeal shall lie against the decision to try a case summarily under sub-section (2)✓ correct
  4. D.Only with leave of the court of appeal

Why: 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.

Read Section 283 — Power to try summarily →

Q4 · medium · BNSS S.283

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?

  1. A.Dismiss the complaint and discharge the accused
  2. B.Recall any witnesses who may have been examined and proceed to re-hear the case in the manner provided by the Sanhita✓ correct
  3. C.Proceed to convict or acquit immediately on the existing evidence
  4. D.Send the matter to the Sessions Court without recalling witnesses

Why: 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.

Read Section 283 — Power to try summarily →

Q5 · hard · BNSS S.283

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?

  1. A.Yes — the three-year/ life/death limitation in (2) applies to all summary trials including those in (1)
  2. 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)✓ correct
  3. C.Only if the accused requests summary trial under subsection (2)
  4. D.Only with the prior approval of the High Court

Why: 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.

Read Section 283 — Power to try summarily →

25 more questions on Summary Trials

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Questions are AI-generated from the legal text, machine-verified against the provision, and editorially reviewable. Education, not legal advice.