Section 173 - Information in cognizable cases

Information in cognizable cases: recording rules, special safeguards for certain victims, and supervisory investigation recourse.

Every information of a cognizable offence may be given orally or electronically to the officer in charge; oral information must be reduced to writing and signed, electronic information must be signed within three days and entered in the prescribed record, and a copy must be given free to the informant. Special safeguards require a woman officer to record information from a woman alleging specified offences, with accommodations and videography where the informant is disabled, and Magistrate-recorded statements as directed. For offences punishable with specified mid-range terms, investigation requires prior DSP-level permission to conduct a preliminary enquiry or proceed to investigation. An aggrieved person may escalate refusals to the Superintendent of Police who may investigate or direct investigation, or seek Magistrate relief.