Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter XII: Information to the Police and Their Powers to Investigate
Section 159: Power to hold investigation or preliminary inquiry
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024.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 offences and proceedings from before that date.
Such Magistrate, on receiving such report, may direct an investigation, or, if he thinks fit, at once proceed, or depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to proceed, to hold a preliminary inquiry into, or otherwise to dispose of, the case in the manner provided in this Code.
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 159
- Chotkau v. State of Uttar Pradesh
- Jafarudheen & Ors. v. State of Kerala
- Mukesh Singh v. State (Narcotic Branch of Delhi)
- Head Master, Lawrence School Lovedale v. Jayanthi Raghu & Anr.
- Lalita Kumari v. Government of U.P. & Others
- Shivlal & Anr. v. State of Chhattisgarh
- Bhajan Singh @ Harbhajan Singh & Ors. v. State of Haryana
- Aqeel Ahmad v. State of U.P.
- Bathula Nagamalleswara Rao & Ors. v. State Rep. by Public Prosecutor
- Rabindra Mahto and Anr. v. State of Jharkhand
- Munshi Prasad and Ors. v. State of Bihar
- Anil Rai v. State of Bihar