Any officer in charge of a police station may, without the order of a Magistrate, investigate any cognizable case which a Court having jurisdiction over the local area within the limits of such station would have power to inquire into or try under the provisions of Chapter XIII. No proceeding of a police officer in any such case shall at any stage be called in question on the ground that the case was one which such officer was not empowered under this section to investigate. Any Magistrate empowered under section 190 may order such an investigation as above-mentioned.
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 156
Police officer
Englishहिंदी
🔄 CrPC equivalent: BNS Sec. 175⚖️ Bail Procedure Guide🔨 Punishment & Liability Guide🔍 Compare Old vs New
⚡ Quick Answer Reference: Section 156 CrPC
- Provision: Section 156 of CrPC
- Act: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Classification: criminal procedure
- Jurisdiction: India
- Summary: This section allows a police officer in charge of a station to investigate any cognizable case without a magistrate's order, as long as it's within their jurisdiction.
Statutory Content
What does Section 156 of CrPC say?
Indian StandardSection 156, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Bluebook (21st ed.)Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, § 156 (India)
Court Pleading StandardSection 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Canonical Web linkhttps://nyaya.cloud/acts/code-of-criminal-procedure-1973/156
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Source: Gazette of India (Official Publication)Verify egazette.gov.in ↗
✓ VERIFIED FOR LEGAL ACCURACYReviewed & certified by Advocate Arjun Choudhury (Bar Council ID: D/8734/2015).
AI Educational GuideAI-generated explanation for educational and research purposes. Original statutory text is preserved exactly.
Section Meaning & Purpose
What does Section 156 of CrPC mean?
Plain English Explanation
This section allows a police officer in charge of a station to investigate any cognizable case without a magistrate's order, as long as it's within their jurisdiction.
Practical Interpretation
In practice, this section enables police officers to initiate investigations into serious crimes without needing prior approval from a magistrate, streamlining the process.
Core Legal Purpose
The core purpose is to empower police officers to take immediate action in cognizable cases, ensuring timely investigations and maintaining public order.
Key Legal Elements
- •The case must be cognizable, meaning it can be investigated without a magistrate's order.
- •The police officer must be in charge of the police station.
- •The case must be within the jurisdiction of the police station.
- •No proceeding can be questioned on the ground that the police officer was not empowered to investigate.
Practical Example
Practical Example of Section 156 CrPC
For instance, if Rajesh files a complaint at a police station about a robbery, the officer in charge, Amit, can start investigating without a magistrate's order, as long as the robbery is a cognizable offense and within the station's jurisdiction. Amit's investigation will not be called into question later on the grounds that he wasn't empowered to start it.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions about Section 156 CrPC
Q: What is the punishment or consequence under Section 156 of CrPC?
This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment.
Q: Does this section apply to private individuals or public entities?
This section applies to police officers and the process of investigating cognizable cases, not directly to private individuals or public entities.
Q: Is an offence under this section bailable or cognizable?
This section deals with the investigation of cognizable cases but does not itself classify an offence as bailable or cognizable.
People Also Ask (PAA)
Common Questions about Section 156 CrPC
What is Section 156 of CrPC?
Section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) defines and regulates "Police officer". In plain terms: This section allows a police officer in charge of a station to investigate any cognizable case without a magistrate's order, as long as it's within their jurisdiction.
What is the punishment under Section 156 of CrPC?
Section 156 of CrPC does not prescribe a specific criminal punishment, or it is a procedural provision.
Is Section 156 of CrPC bailable or non-bailable?
Whether Section 156 of CrPC is bailable or non-bailable depends on the schedule classification.
What are the elements of Section 156 of CrPC?
The essential elements of Section 156 of CrPC are: The case must be cognizable, meaning it can be investigated without a magistrate's order.; The police officer must be in charge of the police station.; The case must be within the jurisdiction of the police station..
What replaced Section 156 of IPC in BNS?
Section 156 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was replaced by Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023. There was no material change in the provision.
Law Transition Mapping
Replaced by New Law
This SectionSection 156Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
→New LawSection 175Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
✓ No material change in the provision.
View New Law Equivalent →Compare Side-by-Side →Landmark Case Laws
Landmark Judgments under Section 156 CrPC
Patnahcucisdb94 High Court (10 8)
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