Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
CrPC Section 156 in BNSS
Police officer's power to investigate cognizable case. Section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Police officer's power to investigate cognizable case) corresponds to Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Verify before you rely on this. Renumbering under the 2023 codes is not a clean one-to-one exercise — provisions were merged, split and reworded. Always check the printed bare act.
Where this sits in the exam
This provision is examined under CrPC & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, worth 10 of the 100 marks in AIBE XXII. The paper permits bare acts but bans notes, so what matters is finding it quickly, not reciting the number.
Questions that turn on this section
A Magistrate may direct the police to investigate a cognizable case under:
Answer & explanation
Section 175(3) BNSS
This is the successor to Section 156(3) CrPC. It allows a Magistrate empowered under Section 210 to direct registration and investigation where the police have refused to act.
Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Decide whether each is true, and if so whether (R) correctly explains (A). Assertion (A): A Magistrate may order investigation into a cognizable offence on a complaint without taking cognizance. Reason (R): Section 175(3) BNSS empowers a Magistrate to direct an investigation where the police have declined to register a case.
Answer & explanation
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
The power under § 175(3) (§ 156(3) CrPC) is exercised at the pre-cognizance stage. § 225 BNSS (§ 202 CrPC) is the post-cognizance inquiry, which is different.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 were renumbered:
| CrPC | Provision | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences | 170 |
| 154 | Information in cognizable cases (FIR) | 173 |
| 155 | Information as to non-cognizable cases and investigation | 174 |
| 157 | Procedure for investigation | 176 |
| 160 | Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses | 179 |
| 161 | Examination of witnesses by police | 180 |
Practise it
Cutoff has AIBE XXII questions on this area, each cited to both codes with a line telling you where to find it in the bare act. Ten questions per subject are free, no account needed.
Practise free Full CrPC→BNSS table