CrPC Section 156
Police officer's power to investigate cognizable cases
BNSS Section 175— Police officer’s power to investigate cognizable case.
Effective for any FIR, charge sheet, or filing on or after 1 July 2024. Matters that arose before that date continue under the CrPC.
An officer in charge of a police station may investigate any cognizable case within his jurisdiction without a Magistrate's order, though the Superintendent of Police may direct a Deputy Superintendent to investigate based on the nature and gravity of the offence. No investigation proceeding can be challenged solely on the ground that the officer lacked power to investigate. A Magistrate empowered under section 210 may order investigation on an affidavit-supported application, and may also order investigation against a public servant after receiving a superior's report and the public servant's own assertions.
For the full text of the new section, see the linked BNSS page above. For the binding statutory text, refer to the India Code or the Gazette of India. This reference is informational, not legal advice.