Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter X: Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquillity · B.–Public nuisances
Section 139: Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. It still applies to matters and proceedings from before that date, as the repealing law provides.
In plain words
For an inquiry under section 137 or section 138, the Magistrate can direct a local investigation by any suitable person, or summon and examine an expert.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
The Magistrate may, for the purposes of an inquiry under section 137 or section 138—
(a) direct a local investigation to be made by such person as he thinks fit; or
(b) summon and examine an expert.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (Legislative Department), the text of the Act as it stood before its repeal. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 139
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.