BNSS Section 179 — Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses

CHAPTER XIII INFORMATION TO THE POLICE AND THEIR POWERS TO INVESTIGATE

Criminal

Summary

A police officer investigating a case can issue a written order requiring any person who seems to know about the case to appear before the officer. The person must come as ordered, but only if they live within the officer's police station area or a nearby station area. However, no male under 15 or over 60 years old, no woman, no person with a mental or physical disability, and no person with a serious illness can be made to appear anywhere other than their own home—unless they choose to come to the police station voluntarily. The state government can make rules for the police officer to pay the reasonable travel expenses of any person who is required to appear somewhere other than their home.

Official Text

(1) Any police officer making an investigation under this Chapter may, by order in writing, require the attendance before himself of any person being within the limits of his own or any adjoining station who, from the information given or otherwise, appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case; and such person shall attend as so required:

Provided that no male person under the age of fifteen years or above the age of sixty years or a woman or a mentally or physically disabled person or a person with acute illness shall be required to attend at any place other than the place in which such person resides:

Provided further that if such person is willing to attend at the police station, such person may be permitted so to do.

(2) The State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, provide for the payment by the police officer of the reasonable expenses of every person, attending under sub-section (1) at any place other than his residence.

Related Judgments

  • SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • CrPC §160 — Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses