Section 196 - Inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death

Magistrate inquiry into cause of death empowers magistrates to investigate alongside police and permit disinterment for examination.

Magistrates are empowered to hold inquiries into causes of death instead of or in addition to police investigations, exercising the same powers as in inquiries into offences. Where death, disappearance or alleged rape occurs in custody, a local Magistrate must hold an inquiry; the Magistrate must record evidence, may order disinterment and examination to discover cause of death, and should inform and permit known relatives to be present. The body must, unless impracticable for recorded reasons, be forwarded for examination by the Civil Surgeon or other qualified medical officer appointed by the State Government.