A Magistrate has the power to direct the police to investigate in respect of an offence ........

Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973 Complaints to Magistrates

A Magistrate has the power to direct the police to investigate in respect of an offence:

under the Indian Penal Code

under any local or special law

both (a) and (b)

only (a) and not (b).

Let’s break this down:

- Under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), a Magistrate can direct the police to investigate any *cognizable* offence.

- The key point? This power isn’t just limited to offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

- It also covers offences under any *local* or *special* law—as long as the offence is cognizable.

- So, here’s what each option means:

- Option 1 talks only about offences under the IPC.

- Option 2 zooms in on offences under any local or special law.

- Option 3—both (a) and (b)—is saying the Magistrate’s power applies to both categories.

- Option 4 claims the power is only for IPC offences—not right.

Option 3 is correct. The Magistrate has authority to order investigations for cognizable offences under both the IPC and any local or special law.

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