CrPC Section 161

BNSS Section 180— Examination of witnesses by police.

Effective for any FIR, charge sheet, or filing on or after 1 July 2024. Matters that arose before that date continue under the CrPC.

A police officer investigating under this Chapter (or a prescribed-rank officer acting on requisition) may orally examine any person acquainted with the facts of the case; such person must answer all questions truthfully except those that would tend to expose him to criminal charge, penalty, or forfeiture. Statements may be reduced to writing (with a separate true record for each person) and may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means. Statements of women victims of specified sexual offences must be recorded by a woman police officer or woman officer.