Cognizance of offences by Magistrate.
What this section does
A first-class Magistrate, and a second-class Magistrate specially empowered by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, may take cognizance of an offence upon: (a) a complaint of facts (including by a person authorised under special law); (b) a police report submitted in any mode including electronic; or (c) information received from a non-police person or the Magistrate's own knowledge. The Chief Judicial Magistrate may empower second-class Magistrates to take cognizance of offences within their competence.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Magistrate of the first class · Magistrate of the second class · Chief Judicial Magistrate · complainant · police officer
- Time limit
- None specified
- CRPC Section 190 — Cognizance of offences by Magistrate
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 210, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 210 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.