BNSS Section 158: Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert (formerly CrPC 139)
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · in force from 1 July 2024
BNSS 158: Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert
From 1 July 2024
The Magistrate may, for the purposes of an inquiry under section 156 or section 157—
(a) direct a local investigation to be made by such person as he thinks fit; or
(b) summon and examine an expert.
What it replaced in the CrPC
BNSS 158 ← CrPC 139 · Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expertNo change
BPR&D's comparison records no change in the text, only a new number.
Printed in both official correspondence tables (BPR&D and NCRB).
The Magistrate may, for the purposes of an inquiry under section 137 or section 138—
(a) direct a local investigation to be made by such person as he thinks fit; or
(b) summon and examine an expert.
Which one applies
Procedure follows the proceeding. Under section 531(2)(a) of the BNSS, an appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation already pending on 1 July 2024 continues under the CrPC; one begun on or after that date proceeds under the BNSS.
Read BNSS section 531 →Judgments decided under CrPC 139
They remain the law on CrPC 139. Where the provision changed in the move, read what changed before relying on one for an offence after 1 July 2024.
Sources
- Correspondence Table and Comparison Summary of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Bureau of Police Research & Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, page 12.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: bare Act with Corresponding Section Table, National Crime Records Bureau (Sankalan), page 28.
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act 2 of 1974), as amended, India Code, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice.
BPR&D is the Bureau of Police Research & Development (Ministry of Home Affairs); NCRB the National Crime Records Bureau. Their correspondence tables are training aids, not law. This page is general information, not legal advice on any case; the bare Acts as published by the Government of India are the authority.