UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Give prosecution immunity to Chambal guards, says SC

Q1. With reference to the National Chambal Sanctuary, consider the following statements about its location and protected species. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It lies at the tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  2. The Chambal, which flows through it, is a tributary of the Yamuna.
  3. The estuarine (saltwater) crocodile is one of its flagship protected reptiles.
  4. The red-crowned roof turtle is among the species it protects.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the National Chambal Sanctuary with typical terrestrial protected areas and its river drainage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The sanctuary was first notified in its Madhya Pradesh portion in 1978, ahead of the Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan portions.
  2. Unlike a conventional national park confined to one State, it is a riverine sanctuary co-administered by three States.
  3. The Chambal drains directly into the Ganga, while the Yamuna is a tributary of the Chambal.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the provision on sanction for prosecution of public servants under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Section 218 of the BNSS corresponds to Section 197 of the CrPC on sanction to prosecute public servants for acts in official duty.
  2. The BNSS introduces a deemed-sanction rule requiring a decision on a sanction request within 120 days, failing which sanction is deemed granted.
  3. Under the BNSS, sanction to prosecute a member of the Armed Forces for official acts is granted by the State Government, unlike the Central Government under the CrPC.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, sanction to prosecute a member of the Armed Forces for an offence alleged to have been committed in the discharge of official duty is granted by which one of the following?

  • A. The Central Government
  • B. The State Government concerned
  • C. The jurisdictional High Court
  • D. The Judge Advocate General's Department of the Ministry of Defence

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court proceeding concerning illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is a suo motu proceeding titled 'In Re: Illegal Sand Mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and Threat to Endangered Aquatic Wildlife'.
  2. The Bench that issued the directions comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
  3. The Court directed the National Green Tribunal, rather than the three State governments, to notify prosecution immunity for forest guards.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. In the Chambal sand-mining matter, whom did the Supreme Court direct to consider notifying prosecution immunity for forest guards under Section 218(3) of the BNSS, 2023?

  • A. The governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
  • B. Only the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. The Central Bureau of Investigation exclusively
  • D. The National Board for Wildlife alone

Q7. The gharial is accorded the highest degree of domestic legal protection in India by being listed under which one of the following?

  • A. Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  • B. Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  • C. Appendix II of CITES
  • D. Schedule III of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Q8. Consider the following statements about the conservation status and distribution of the gharial. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. On the IUCN Red List the gharial is categorised as Critically Endangered.
  2. In regulation of international trade the gharial is listed in Appendix I of CITES.
  3. The Chambal river holds the smallest of India's gharial populations, most gharials being found in the Gandak.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The Supreme Court suggested that immunity from prosecution for Chambal forest guards acting in good faith be extended primarily through a notification under which one of the following?

  • A. Section 218(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • B. Section 197(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
  • C. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
  • D. Section 6 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Q10. Consider the following statements about the sanction-based immunity proposed for Chambal forest guards. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Section 218(3) of the BNSS allows notified categories of public servants to be protected by a prior-sanction requirement, akin to the protection available to the Armed Forces.
  2. Such protection shields only bona fide acts done in the discharge of official duty and does not cover mala fide or illegal acts.
  3. The contemplated immunity is identical to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act bar, requiring no government sanction at all for prosecution.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3