CrPC Section 200 — Examination of complainant

Official Text

A Magistrate taking cognizance of an offence on complaint shall examine upon oath the complainant and the witnesses present, if any, and the substance of such examination shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the complainant and the witnesses, and also by the Magistrate:

Provided that, when the complaint is made in writing, the Magistrate need not examine the complainant and the witnesses—

(a) if a public servant acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties or a Court has made the complaint; or

(b) if the Magistrate makes over the case for inquiry or trial to another Magistrate under section 192:

Provided further that if the Magistrate makes over the case to another Magistrate under section 192 after examining the complainant and the witnesses, the latter Magistrate need not re-examine them.

Sections referred to

• CrPC §192 — Making over of cases to Magistrates

Referred to by

• CrPC §202 — Postponement of issue of process
• CrPC §208 — Supply of copies of statements and documents to accused in other cases triable by Court of Session
• CrPC §265A — Application of the Chapter

Related Judgments

• KUSHAL KUMAR AGARWAL vs DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• MEHMOOD UL REHMAN vs KHAZIR MOHAMMAD TUNDA AND ORS — Supreme Court of India (2015)
• REKHA SHARAD USHIR vs SAPTASHRUNGI MAHILA NAGARI SAHKARI PATSANSTA LTD — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• A.C. NARAYANAN vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2013)
• JAMUNA SINGH AND OTHERS vs BHADAI SAH — Supreme Court of India (1963)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNSS §223 — Examination of complainant