Report of investigation by subordinate police officer
Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with report of investigation by subordinate police officer. When any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under this Chapter, he shall report the result of such investigation to the officer in charge of the police station. The Act came into force on 01 Apr 1974. Repealed by section 531 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
When any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under this Chapter, he shall report the result of such investigation to the officer in charge of the police station.
Section 168, The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act 2 of 1974).
Now in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
BNSS 188 Report of investigation by subordinate police officer Text carried over almost unchanged 100%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Basant Ku.nanda vs State of Orissa
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
An anticipatory bail application becomes infructuous and should be disposed of when the chargesheet has already been filed, the investigation has been closed under Section 168 Cr.P.C., and there is no reasonable apprehension of arrest of the petitioner, as confirmed by the Investigating Officer.
On this section: Investigation to be completed within specified period; court noted investigation was not kept open under this section
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K.n.venugopalan vs The Commissioner
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When no crime has been registered against the petitioners and they are not wanted by the police in connection with the allegations, the apprehension of arrest and harassment entertained by the petitioners is unfounded, and anticipatory bail need not be granted. However, procedural safeguards under Section 168 Cr.P.C must be observed if police interrogation is required.
On this section: The court directed that if the police wants to interrogate the petitioners, a notice under Section 168 Cr.P.C shall be given to them, ensuring procedural compliance and protection of the petitioners' rights during any future police interrogation.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 168
What have the courts held on Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?
Basant Ku.nanda vs State of Orissa (03 Aug 2016) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Investigation to be completed within specified period; court noted investigation was not kept open under this section. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2011 to 2016.
How do I find court cases under Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: CRPC 168, section 168 CRPC, section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Basant Ku.nanda vs State of Orissa (03 Aug 2016).
What should I read with Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNSS 188 (Report of investigation by subordinate police officer), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure come into force?
Section 168 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, cited as CRPC 168, came into force on 01 Apr 1974, having been enacted on 25 Jan 1974. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 320. Compounding of offences1554 words
- 167. Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in twenty four hours1005 words
- 220. Trial for more than one offence962 words
- 360. Order to release on probation of good conduct or after admonition804 words
- 2. Definitions799 words
- 198. Prosecution for offences against marriage774 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 330a1099-77ad-4a2e-b22a-769b33398f9e). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.