Police to prevent cognizable offences.
What this section does
Every police officer is empowered and duty-bound to interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of any cognizable offence, and shall, to the best of his ability, prevent such commission. The provision is both a power and a mandatory duty cast on every police officer.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Police officer
- Time limit
- None specified
Derived from CrPC s.149.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 168, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 168 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.