Section 188 BNSS: Report of investigation by subordinate police officer

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 188 BNSS at a Glance

Section 188 BNSS deals with report of investigation by subordinate police officer. It replaced Section 168 CrPC on 1 July 2024.

Was CrPC

Section 168 →

Section 188 BNSS Bare Act Text

188. 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.

Source: Section 188, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 188 BNSS in Simple Words

Section 188 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with the report of an investigation by a subordinate police officer. When any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under Chapter XIII of the Sanhita, that officer shall report the result of the investigation to the officer in charge of the police station.

When Section 188 BNSS Applies

  • Section 188 BNSS applies when any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under Chapter XIII of the Sanhita.
  • That subordinate police officer shall report the result of such investigation to the officer in charge of the police station.

Example of Section 188 BNSS

Vikram, a subordinate police officer, has made an investigation under Chapter XIII of the Sanhita. Under Section 188 BNSS, Vikram shall report the result of such investigation to the officer in charge of the police station.

When Section 188 BNSS Does Not Apply

  • Section 188 BNSS speaks of a report to the officer in charge of the police station. It does not deal with a report sent to a Magistrate.
  • Section 188 BNSS speaks of a subordinate police officer. It does not deal with a Magistrate who makes an inquiry.

Section 188 BNSS in the CrPC (Previous Law)

Section 188 BNSS replaces Section 168 CrPC from the old criminal code.

Section 188 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 168 CrPC.

View CrPC Section 168 →

FAQs on Section 188 BNSS

When does Section 188 BNSS apply?▼

Section 188 BNSS applies when any subordinate police officer has made any investigation under Chapter XIII of the Sanhita.

Who must report under Section 188 BNSS?▼

The subordinate police officer who has made the investigation shall report the result of such investigation.

To whom is the result reported under Section 188 BNSS?▼

The result of such investigation is reported to the officer in charge of the police station.

What changed from Section 168 CrPC to Section 188 BNSS from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 188 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 168 CrPC.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·