Practical Legal Guidance
Cognizable Offence
An offence for which police may arrest without a warrant and start investigation without a magistrate's order.
Detailed Meaning
Cognizable offences (generally the more serious offences) permit a police officer to arrest without a warrant and to register an FIR and begin investigation on their own authority, in contrast to non-cognizable offences, where police may investigate only with the magistrate's permission.
Authoritative Sources & Provenance
Relevant Legislation
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Related Concepts
General legal information for reference only, reviewed for accuracy but not a substitute for advice from a qualified advocate on your specific facts.