BNSS: Complaint Against Police Official or Servant , Examination of Complaints

Section 223. (1) A Magistrate having jurisdiction while taking cognizance of an offence on complaint shall examine upon oath the complainant and the witnesses present, if any, and the substance of such examination shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the complainant and the witnesses, and also by the Magistrate:

Provided that no cognizance of an offence shall be taken by the Magistrate without

giving the accused an opportunity of being heard:

Provided further that when the complaint is made in writing, the Magistrate need not

examine the complainant and the witnesses—

(a) if a public servant acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duties or a Court has made the complaint; or

(b) if the Magistrate makes over the case for inquiry or trial to another Magistrate

under section 212:

Provided also that if the Magistrate makes over the case to another Magistrate under

section 212 after examining the complainant and the witnesses, the latter Magistrate need

not re-examine them.

(2) A Magistrate shall not take cognizance on a complaint against a public servant for

any offence alleged to have been committed in course of the discharge of his official

functions or duties unless—

(a) such public servant is given an opportunity to make assertions as to the

situation that led to the incident so alleged; and

(b) a report containing facts and circumstances of the incident from the officer

superior to such public servant is received