Chy.S.N.Mishra, J.

1. Thepetitioners, in this application, have challenged the order taking cognizance dated 5.4.1995 of an offence punishable under Sections 3/4 of the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956 including the order dated 27.9.1995 by which the trial Court was refused to drop the proceeding on the ground mentioned in the order itself. The petitioners had earlier filed a quashing application challenging the order taking cognizance of the alleged offence which was subsequently withdrawn with a direction to raise the question before the trial Court which shall be considered in accordance with law. Pursuant thereto, petitioners filed a petition before the trial Court praying therein to drop the proceeding on the ground that the very initiation of the proceeding is barred by limitation in terms of Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (herein after referred to as the Code) which has been rejected by the trial Court.

2. Learned counsel submits the very order taking cognizance of the alleged offence is barred by limitation in as much as, the learned Magistrate without condoning the delay in terms of Section 473 of the Code passed the impugn