Question

Under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, if a police officer-in-charge determines that an investigation is not warranted because the case lacks sufficient gravity, they are legally obligated to notify the informant of this decision within:

• A. 14 days
• B. 7 days
• C. 30 days
• D. 24 hours

Hint:

For BNSS questions, pay special attention to numerical timelines such as 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days, as these are frequently tested in examinations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Know the law.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 brings reforms for more accountability and transparency in criminal justice.

Step 2: Understand the situation.
Sometimes the officer-in-charge decides that a case is not serious enough to be investigated fully.

Step 3: Note the duty.
To stop arbitrary inaction, the law requires the police to inform the informant of this decision.

Step 4: Find the timeline.
Section 173 of the BNSS requires the officer to notify the informant within fourteen days when investigation is not warranted due to lack of gravity.

Step 5: Rule out wrong options.
The statute does not say 7 days, 30 days or 24 hours for this notice. Only 14 days fits.

Step 6: Final answer.
The informant must be notified within 14 days.
\[ \boxed{\text{14 days}} \]