Section 516.  Bar to taking cognizance after lapse of period of limitation.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Sanhita, no Court shall take cognizance
of an offence of the category specified in sub-section (2), after the expiry of the period of
limitation.
(2) The period of limitation shall be—
(a) six months, if the offence is punishable with fine only;
(b) one year, if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term not
exceeding one year;
(c) three years, if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term
exceeding one year but not exceeding three years.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the period of limitation, in relation to offences
which may be tried together, shall be determined with reference to the offence which is
punishable with the more severe punishment or, as the case may be, the most severe
punishment.
Explanation.—For the purpose of computing the period of limitation, the relevant
date shall be the date of filing complaint under section 223 or the date of recording of
information under section 173.