Section 178 of THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023 – BNSS

Power to hold
investigation
or preliminary
inquiry.

178. The Magistrate, on receiving a report under section 176, may direct an
     investigation, or, if he thinks fit, at once proceed, or depute any Magistrate subordinate to
     him to proceed, to hold a preliminary inquiry into, or otherwise to dispose of, the case in the
     manner provided in this Sanhita.