Section 469 CrPC: Commencement of the period of limitation

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 469 CrPC at a Glance

Section 469 CrPC deals with commencement of the period of limitation. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 515 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 515 →

What Section 469 CrPC Says

469. Commencement of the period of limitation

(1) The period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence,—

(a) on the date of the offence; or

(b) where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer, the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier; or

(c) where it is not known by whom the offence was committed, the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.

(2) In computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

Source: Section 469, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 469 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 469 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is headed Commencement of the period of limitation. Section 469(1) CrPC states when the period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence.

Section 469(1)(a) CrPC names the date of the offence. Section 469(1)(b) CrPC applies where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer.

Section 469(1)(c) CrPC applies where it is not known by whom the offence was committed. Section 469(2) CrPC states that in computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

When Section 469 CrPC Applies

  • Section 469(1)(a) CrPC states that the period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence on the date of the offence.
  • Section 469(1)(b) CrPC applies where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer. The period shall commence on the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier.
  • Section 469(1)(c) CrPC applies where it is not known by whom the offence was committed. The period shall commence on the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.
  • Section 469(2) CrPC states that in computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

Example of Section 469 CrPC

An offence is committed against Ramesh on a Monday. The commission of the offence is not known to Ramesh or to any police officer on that Monday. Ramesh comes to know of the offence on the Thursday of that week, and Inspector Kavita comes to know of it on the Friday of that week. Under Section 469(1)(b) CrPC, the period of limitation in relation to the offender shall commence on the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier, which is the Thursday.

When Section 469 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 469 CrPC speaks of when the period of limitation shall commence in relation to an offender. It does not deal with Section 468 CrPC, headed Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of the period of limitation.
  • Section 469(2) CrPC speaks of the day from which the said period is to be computed. It does not deal with Section 470 CrPC, headed Exclusion of time in certain cases.

Section 469 CrPC Under BNSS 515: What Changed

Section 469 CrPC is now covered under Section 515 BNSS.

Section 469 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found from 1 July 2024 as Section 515 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same text. Section 515(1) BNSS and Section 515(2) BNSS are Section 469(1) CrPC and Section 469(2) CrPC. The text contains no cross-reference to another section, so none is renumbered.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 469 vs BNSS 515) →

FAQs on Section 469 CrPC

When does the period of limitation commence under Section 469 CrPC?▼

Section 469(1) CrPC states that the period of limitation, in relation to an offender, shall commence on the date of the offence. It also states that where the commission of the offence was not known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to any police officer, the period shall commence on the first day on which such offence comes to the knowledge of such person or to any police officer, whichever is earlier. It further states that where it is not known by whom the offence was committed, the period shall commence on the first day on which the identity of the offender is known to the person aggrieved by the offence or to the police officer making investigation into the offence, whichever is earlier.

Whose knowledge is named in Section 469(1)(b) CrPC and Section 469(1)(c) CrPC?▼

Section 469(1)(b) CrPC names the person aggrieved by the offence or any police officer. Section 469(1)(c) CrPC names the person aggrieved by the offence or the police officer making investigation into the offence.

What does Section 469(2) CrPC say about the day from which the period is computed?▼

Section 469(2) CrPC states that in computing the said period, the day from which such period is to be computed shall be excluded.

Where is Section 469 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 469(1) CrPC is found in Section 515(1) BNSS and Section 469(2) CrPC in Section 515(2) BNSS.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·