Information to Police
Information to the police refers to the process of informing the police authorities about a possible crime, suspicious activity, or any event that requires their intervention. It is the duty of every citizen to inform the police about any offence that has been committed, or which they suspect is being committed. This is an essential component of maintaining law and order in society.
Section 154 of the CrPC deals with information to the police. According to this section, any person who has knowledge of the commission of a cognizable offence can give information to the police.
Important Points to keep in mind regarding Information to the Police:
- Anyone can give information about the commission of a cognizable offence to an officer in charge of a police station or to any police officer of a higher rank.
- The information can be given orally or in writing. If given orally, the officer receiving it must reduce it to writing and read it back to the informant.
- The informant has the right to demand a copy of the information.
- If the officer in charge of the police station is satisfied that a cognizable offence has been committed, they must register the case and start an investigation.
- The police officer can also conduct a preliminary investigation before registering a case, but they must do so within 24 hours of receiving the information.
- If the officer in charge is not satisfied that a cognizable offence has been committed, they can still record the information and refer the informant to the magistrate.
- It is a punishable offence to give false information to the police, with the intent to cause them to investigate an imaginary offence.
Power to Investigate
The power to investigate a criminal case is a crucial aspect of the criminal justice system. The investigation is conducted by the police, who have the power to investigate a cognizable offence without the need for a warrant or court order.
Power to Investigate includes:
- Collection of Evidence: The investigating officer has the power to collect all evidence related to the case, including physical and circumstantial evidence, witness statements, and other relevant documents.
- Arrest: The investigating officer has the power to arrest a suspect if they have sufficient evidence or reason to believe that the suspect has committed the crime.
- Search and Seizure: The investigating officer has the power to conduct a search and seizure operation to collect evidence related to the crime.
- Interrogation: The investigating officer has the power to interrogate the suspect to gather information related to the case.
- Recording of Statements: The investigating officer has the power to record the statements of the suspect, witnesses, and other relevant persons related to the case.
- Closure of Investigation: The investigating officer has the power to close the investigation if they find no evidence of the crime.
- Submission of Report: The investigating officer has the duty to submit a report to the concerned magistrate or court regarding the progress and findings of the investigation.
- Re-investigation: The investigating officer has the power to re-investigate a case if new evidence or information comes to light.