CrPC Section 155 — Information as to non-cognizable cases and investigation of such cases

Summary

Sub-section (1) says that when information is given to the officer in charge of a police station about a non-cognizable offence committed within that station’s limits, the officer must enter the substance of the information in the prescribed book or cause it to be entered there. The officer must refer the person who gave the information to the Magistrate.

Sub-section (2) says that a police officer cannot investigate a non-cognizable case without an order from a Magistrate who has power to try the case or commit it for trial.

Sub-section (3) says that a police officer who receives such an order may use the same investigation powers that an officer in charge of a police station may use in a cognizable case, except the power to arrest without a warrant.

Sub-section (4) says that if a case involves two or more offences and at least one is cognizable, the case is treated as a cognizable case even if the other offences are non-cognizable.

Official Text

(1) When information is given to an officer in charge of a police station of the commission within the limits of such station of a non-cognizable offence, he shall enter or cause to be entered the substance of the information in a book to be kept by such officer in such form as the State Government may prescribe in this behalf, and refer the informant to the Magistrate.

(2) No police officer shall investigate a non-cognizable case without the order of a Magistrate having power to try such case or commit the case for trial.

(3) Any police officer receiving such order may exercise the same powers in respect of the investigation (except the power to arrest without warrant) as an officer in charge of a police station may exercise in a cognizable case.

(4) Where a case relates to two or more offences of which at least one is cognizable, the case shall be deemed to be a cognizable case, notwithstanding that the other offences are non-cognizable.

Referred to by

• CrPC §196 — Prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy to commit such offence
• CrPC §291A — Identification report of Magistrate
• CrPC §460 — Irregularities which do not vitiate proceedings

Related Judgments

• PRAVIN CHANDRA MODY vs STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH — Supreme Court of India (1964)
• A. SUBASH BABU vs STATE OF A.P.& ANR — Supreme Court of India (2011)
• Mr.Latesh Kumar Ganeshbhai Patel and Another. .. vs The State of Maharashtra., .., –, Shri Meghashyam Kanoji Kocharekar al — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2017)
• SAJAL BOSE vs THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS — Supreme Court of India (2026)
• Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.; Adani Power Limited, a Company; incorporated vs 1 Union of India, through Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, New De — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2019)
• PARKASH SINGH BADAL AND ANR. vs STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS — Supreme Court of India (2006)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNSS §174 — Information as to non-cognizable cases and investigation of such cases