MCQ on Probation of Offenders Act 1958

⚖️ Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 – MCQ Quiz (Bilingual)

Test your knowledge about the reformative provisions of Indian criminal law under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958.

Q1. Under which section can an offender be released after admonition?
किस धारा के अंतर्गत अपराधी को चेतावनी देकर रिहा किया जा सकता है?

1. Section 3
2. Section 4
3. Section 5
4. Section 6

Answer: (a) Section 3
Explanation: Section 3 of the Act empowers the court to release an offender after admonition for minor offences (punishable up to 2 years). Case Law: Ratan Lal v. State of Punjab (AIR 1965 SC 444) – Supreme Court favored liberal use of admonition for first-time offenders.

Q2. What is the maximum period for which an offender can be placed on probation of good conduct?
अच्छे आचरण पर अपराधी को अधिकतम कितनी अवधि के लिए परिवीक्षा पर रखा जा सकता है?

1. 1 year
2. 2 years
3. 3 years
4. 5 years

Answer: (c) 3 years
Explanation: Under Section 4, the court may release the offender on probation of good conduct for a period not exceeding three years.

Q3. Who supervises the conduct of a person released on probation?
परिवीक्षा पर रिहा व्यक्ति के आचरण की निगरानी कौन करता है?

1. Police Officer
2. Probation Officer
3. Public Prosecutor
4. District Magistrate

Answer: (b) Probation Officer
Explanation: Section 8 of the Act defines the duties of the Probation Officer — supervision, guidance, and reporting to the court.

Q4. Section 6 of the Act gives special protection to offenders below which age?
धारा 6 के अनुसार किस आयु से कम अपराधियों को विशेष संरक्षण दिया गया है?

1. 16 years
2. 18 years
3. 21 years
4. 25 years

Answer: (c) 21 years
Explanation: Section 6 mandates that offenders below 21 years should not be sentenced to imprisonment unless reasons are recorded.

Q5. Which section allows the court to order compensation to the victim?
कौन-सी धारा न्यायालय को पीड़ित को क्षतिपूर्ति का आदेश देने की अनुमति देती है?

1. Section 3
2. Section 4
3. Section 5
4. Section 6

Answer: (c) Section 5
Explanation: Section 5 empowers the court to direct the offender to pay compensation and legal costs while being released on probation.

Q6. The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 is based on which theory of punishment?
परिवीक्षा अधिनियम, 1958 किस दंड सिद्धांत पर आधारित है?

1. Retributive theory
2. Deterrent theory
3. Reformative theory
4. Preventive theory

Answer: (c) Reformative theory
Explanation: The Act follows the reformative theory — focusing on rehabilitation rather than retribution. It aims to reform offenders.

Q7. In which landmark case did the Supreme Court uphold the reformative purpose of this Act?
किस प्रमुख मामले में सर्वोच्च न्यायालय ने इस अधिनियम के सुधारात्मक उद्देश्य को मान्यता दी?

1. Ram Singh v. State of Haryana
2. Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
3. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
4. State of Madras v. V.G. Row

Answer: (a) Ram Singh v. State of Haryana (1971 AIR 1727, SC)
Explanation: The Court emphasized that probation prevents petty offenders from becoming hardened criminals.

Q8. What happens if an offender violates the conditions of probation?
यदि अपराधी परिवीक्षा की शर्तों का उल्लंघन करता है तो क्या होता है?

1. He is warned again
2. He is sent to prison and sentenced for the original offence
3. He is fined only
4. He is permanently released

Answer: (b) He is sent to prison and sentenced for the original offence
Explanation: If the offender fails to observe the bond of good conduct, the court may revoke probation and impose the original sentence (Section 9).

Q9. The Act applies to which part of India?
यह अधिनियम भारत के किस भाग में लागू होता है?

1. Only to Union Territories
2. Whole of India (except J&K before 2019)
3. Only to metropolitan cities
4. Only to rural areas

Answer: (b) Whole of India (except Jammu & Kashmir before 2019)
Explanation: The Act originally excluded J&K, but now extends to entire India after the abrogation of Article 370.

Q10. What is the main aim of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958?
परिवीक्षा अधिनियम, 1958 का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्या है?

1. Punish offenders harshly
2. Provide compensation to victims only
3. Reform and rehabilitate offenders
4. Protect property rights

Answer: (c) Reform and rehabilitate offenders
Explanation: The Act’s primary aim is to reform and reintegrate offenders into society through supervision, not punishment.