Solution

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 156 confers upon the police officer the power to investigate a cognizable offence. This section empowers the police officer to begin the investigation of the case with or without the orders of the magistrate. Section 156. Police officer’s power to investigate cognizable case—(1) Any officer in charge of a police station may, without the order of a Magistrate, investigate any cognizable case which a Court having jurisdiction over the local area within the limits of such station would have power to inquire into or try under the provisions of Chapter XIII. (2) No proceeding of a police officer in any such case shall at any stage be called in question on the ground that the case was one which such officer was not empowered under this section to investigate. (3) Any Magistrate empowered under section 190 may order such an investigation as above-mentioned.