Professional Documents
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Cognizance Sh. Pradeep Mehta
Cognizance Sh. Pradeep Mehta
Experts Corner
“Cognizance of Offences”
1. What is Cognizance.
2. Taking of Cognizance.
13. Conclusion.
Criminal law serves the purpose of maintaining law and order
by providing predictability. It protects individual rights. Criminal law
makes it possible to resolve conflicts and disputes between quarreling
citizens. It provides a peaceful, orderly way to handle grievances. It also
provides protection, to society from criminals, who inflict harms to others.
For this there are penal laws which prohibit doing of certain acts by
declaring those as offences and punishable with penalty. To put in other
words, Criminal law deals with offences and helps to protect the society
from falling into the state of anarchy.
This part of law is substantive law but for implementing it
someone is to be authorized who can punish the guilty by adopting
certain specified procedure. This aspect is dealt with by other part of law
i.e. procedural law.
Procedural law provides machinery for the implementation of
substantive criminal law. In absence of procedural laws, the substantive
laws are of no use. Without it no one will be able to know the way how
the offenders will be prosecuted and by whom. In fact both the laws are
complementary to each other. The procedural law is contained in Code
of Criminal Procedure 1973.
The main objective of criminal procedure is to provide a fair trial
to the accused by taking into consideration the principles of natural
justice and to carry out the spirit of Article 22 of the Constitution. There
are various processes that need to be followed to administer justice. It
includes pre-trial procedure and procedures for various trials. Trial
procedure is initiated by taking cognizance of offence and then by
beginning of proceedings and finally arriving a decision by following the
procedure laid in the code.
What is Cognizance:
The word cognizance has its origin from the old French term
―connaissance‖ which means ―recognition, wisdom, knowledge,
familiarity‖ and also from the word ―conoistre‖ which means ―to know‖. It
is also derived from the Latin word ―cognosis‖ where the con means to
―with‖ and ―gnosis‖ means ―to know‖.
The word ‗Cognizance‘ has not been defined in the criminal
procedure code, but the meaning of cognizance is derived from the
number of precedents and judicial pronouncements. The dictionary
meaning of cognizance is ―taking account of‖, ―taking note of‖, ―to gain
knowledge about‖, ―to have knowledge regarding something‖.
Lexicon Webster's Dictionary, (1988) defines the word
cognizance as, "The range of mental observation or awareness, the fact
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of being aware, knowledge, (Law) the powers given to a Court to deal
with a given matter, jurisdiction."
The meaning of Cognizance given in Black's Law Dictionary,
reads as under, Cognizance:- Jurisdiction, or the exercise of jurisdiction,
or power to try and determine causes; judicial examination of a matter,
or power and authority to make it.
‗‗Cognizance‘‘ in general means ‗knowledge‘ or ‗notice‘, and
‗taking cognizance of offence‘ means taking notice, or becoming aware
of the alleged commission of an offence. The court will have to take
cognizance of the offence before it could proceed with the conduct of the
trial. Taking cognizance does not involve any kind of formal action but
occurs as soon a magistrate applies his mind to the suspected
commission of an offence for the purpose of legal proceedings. So,
taking cognizance is the application of judicial mind.
In Ajit Kumar Palit v. State of West Bengal, AIR 1963 SC
765, Supreme Court has held :
.....The "word cognizance" has no esoteric or mystic significance
in criminal law or procedure. It merely means - become aware of
and when used with reference to a Court of Judge, to take notice
of judicially..
In Subramanian Swamy v. Manmohan Singh, (2012) 3 SCC
64. Apex Court has observed that
―…. though, the term `cognizance' has not been defined either
in the 1988 Act or the Cr.P.C, the same has acquired a definite
meaning and connotation from various judicial precedents. In
legal parlance cognizance is "taking judicial notice by the court
of law, possessing jurisdiction, on a cause or matter presented
before it so as to decide whether there is any basis for initiating
proceedings and determination of the cause or matter
judicially.‖
The word ―cognizance‖ indicates the point when a Magistrate or
a Judge first takes judicial notice of an offence, State of W.B. v. Mohd.
Khalid, (1995) 1 SCC 684. ―Cognizance‖ means ―jurisdiction‖ or ―the
exercise of jurisdiction‖ or ―power to try and determine causes‖. In
common parlance it means taking notice of, State of
Maharashtra v. Budhikota Subbarao, (1993) 3 SCC 33.
Chapter XIV from Sections 190 to 199, of Code of Criminal
Procedure deals with Conditions requisite for Initiation of Proceedings.
Taking Cognizance of:
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The intention of starting a judicial proceeding with respect to an
offence or taking steps to see whether there is a basis for starting the
judicial proceeding by the court is taking cognizance. It is trite that before
taking cognizance that court should satisfy that ingredients of the
offence charged are, there or not. Chapter XIV, Cr.P.C. deals with,
―taking the cognizance of offences‖. Section 190 and 193 talks about the
mode for taking the cognizance by courts of magistrates and court of
sessions whereas the power empowered is not absolute; it also puts
certain restrictions given under Section 195 to 197 of the Code.
In R.R. Chari v. State of U.P., AIR 1951 SC 207 the Hon'ble
Apex Court held that,
"taking cognizance does not involve any formal action or
indeed action of any kind but occurs as soon as a Magistrate as
such applies his mind to the suspected commission of offence."
It was further held that
―Before it can be said that any Magistrate has taken cognizance
of any offence under S.190 he must have applied his mind to
the offence for the purpose of proceeding in a particular way as
indicated in the subsequent provisions of Chapter.
Taking cognizance of an offence is the first and foremost step
towards trial. Cognizance literally means knowledge or notice,
and taking cognizance of offence means taking notice, or
becoming aware of the alleged commission of an offence.
Obviously, the judicial officer will have to take cognizance of the
offence before he could proceed to conduct a trial
A Magistrate takes cognizance when he applies his mind or
takes judicial notice of an offence with a view to initiating
proceedings in respect of offence which is said to have been
committed. It bears repetition to state that taking cognizance is
entirely an act of the Magistrate.‖
In Darshan Singh Ram Kishan v. State of Maharashtra,
(1971) 2 SCC 654, the Hon'ble Apex Court held that
―Taking cognizance does not involve any formal action, or
indeed action of any kind, but occurs as soon as a Magistrate,
as such, applies his mind to the suspected commission of an
offence for the purpose of proceeding to take subsequent steps
towards inquiry and trial‖.
(See also Kishun Singh & Ors. V. State of Bihar (1993) 2
SCC 16 and Anil Saran v. State of Bihar, (1995) 6 SCC 142)
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Not Taking of Cognizance :
When the magistrate applies his mind, not for the purpose of
proceeding under the subsequent sections of this chapter, but to take
action of some other kind e.g., ordering investigation under Section
156(3), or issuing a search warrant for the purpose of the investigation,
he cannot be said to have taken cognizance of the offence.
This principle of law got approval of a three member bench of
Supreme Court in R.R. Chari v. State of Uttar Pradesh, AIR 1951 SC
207, wherein it was held that that the initiation of the proceedings
against a person commences on the cognizance of the offence by the
Magistrate, under one of the three contingencies, mentioned in Section
190 Cr.P.C. But when the Magistrate applies his mind not for the
purpose of proceeding under the subsequent sections of the Chapter but
for taking action of some other kind, e.g. ordering investigation u/s
156(3), or issuing a search warrant for the purpose of the investigation,
he cannot be said to have taken cognizance of the offence‖.
Tula Ram v. Kishore Singh, (1977) 4 SCC 459, the Hon'ble
Apex Court held that
―…..However, when a Magistrate applies his mind not for the
purpose of proceeding under chapter XIV, but for taking action
of some other kind, for example, ordering investigation under
Section 156(3), or issuing a search warrant for the purpose of
investigation, he cannot be said to have taken cognizance of
the offence‖.
Narayandas Bhagwandas Madhavdas vs. West Bengal,
AIR 1959 Supreme Court 1118 (V 46 C 150) the Hon'ble Apex Court
held that
―….. Issuing of a search warrant for the purpose of an
investigation or of a warrant of arrest for that purpose cannot
by themselves be regarded as acts by which cognizance is
taken of an offence.‖
Cognizance is of Offence and not of Offender:
On going through the schemes of Sec.190 and 204 Cr.P.C. one
finds that Sec.190 speaks of cognizance of offence and Sec. 204 comes
into force, if magistrate after taking the cognizance of offence finds
sufficient ground for proceeding further by issuance of processes.
In Sonu Gupta v. Deepak Gupta, (2015) 3 SCC 424, Hon‘ble
Supreme Court held, ‗It is also well settled that cognizance is taken of
the offence and not the offender. Hence at the stage of framing of
charge an individual accused may seek discharge, if he or she can show
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that the materials are absolutely insufficient for framing of charge against
that particular accused. But such exercise is required only at a later
stage, as indicated above and not at the stage of taking cognizance and
summoning the accused on the basis of prima facie case‘.
State of W.B. and Another vs. Mohd. Khalid and Another
(1995) 1 Supreme Court Cases 684 the Hon'ble Apex Court held that
―Section 190 of the Code talks of cognizance of offences by Magistrates.
This expression has not been defined in the Code. In its broad and literal
sense, it means taking notice of an offence. This would include the
intention of initiating judicial proceedings against the offender in respect
of that offence or taking steps to see whether there is any basis for
initiating judicial proceedings or for other purposes. The word
'cognizance' indicates the point when a Magistrate or a Judge first takes
judicial notice of an offence. It is entirely a different thing from initiation of
proceedings; rather it is the condition precedent to the initiation of
proceedings by the Magistrate or the Judge. Cognizance is taken of
cases and not of persons. It has, thus, reference to the hearing and
determination of the case in connection with an offence‖.
Cognizance of Offences by Magistrate:
Code provides taking of cognizance by any Magistrate of the
first class and any magistrate of the second class specially empowered
in this behalf vide sec. 190. Sec.190(1) says; Cognizance of offences by
Magistrates.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, any
Magistrate of the first class, and any Magistrate of the second class
specially empowered in this behalf under sub-section (2), may take
cognizance of any offence
(a) Upon receiving a complaint of facts which constitute such
offence;
(b) Upon a police report of such facts;
(c) Upon information received from any person other than a
police officer, or upon his own knowledge, that such
offence has been committed.
In most cases magistrates take cognizance either under
clause(a) upon a complaint or under clause(b) upon the report of a
police officer.
A magistrate taking cognizance of an offence under clause(c)
i.e. upon information received from any person other than a Police
officer, or upon the Magistrate's own knowledge or suspicion he must,
before any evidence is taken, inform the accused person that he is
entitled to have the case tried by another Court, and if the accused
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objects to being tried by such magistrate, the case must be transferred
to the another magistrate as specified by the chief judicial magistrate.
(section 191).
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201. Procedure by Magistrate not competent to take cognizance
of the case.
202. Postponement of issue of process.
203. Dismissal of complaint
The procedure laid down in this chapter is to be meticulously
followed.
Once the process under chapter XIV and XV is followed after
initiation of proceedings under section 190 (the three ways mentioned
therein) the stage is reached mentioned in Sec 204 of Chapter XVI
which deals with ‗Issue of Processes.‘
Sec.204(1) says - (1) If in the opinion of a Magistrate taking
cognizance of an offence there is sufficient ground for proceeding, and
the case appears to be
(a) a summons-case, he shall issue his summons for the
attendance of the accused, or
(b) a warrant-case, he may issue a warrant, or, if he thinks fit, a
summons, for causing the accused to be brought or to appear
at a certain time before such Magistrate or (if he has no
jurisdiction himself) some other Magistrate having jurisdiction.
In Mehmood Ul Rehman v. Khazir Mohammad Tunda,
(2015) 12 SCC 420, Hon‘ble Supreme Court held as under:
―The extensive reference to the case law would clearly show
that cognizance of an offence on complaint is taken for the
purpose of issuing process to the accused. Since it is a process
of taking judicial notice of certain facts which constitute an
offence, there has to be application of mind as to whether the
allegations in the complaint, when considered along with the
statements recorded or the inquiry conducted thereon, would
constitute violation of law so as to call a person to appear
before the criminal court. It is not a mechanical process or
matter of course.
As per the law laid down by Apex Court, ‗The order of the
Magistrate summoning the accused must reflect that he has applied his
mind to the facts of the case and the law applicable thereto. The
application of mind has to be indicated by disclosure of mind on the
satisfaction….. To be summoned/to appear before the Criminal Court as
an accused is a serious matter affecting one's dignity and reputation in
the society. In taking recourse to such a serious matter in summoning
the accused in a case filed on a complaint otherwise than on a police
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report, there has to be application of mind as to whether the allegations
in the complaint constitute essential ingredients of the offence and
whether there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against the
accused.- Birla Corporation Limited v. Adventz Investments and
Holdings Limited & Others, AIR 2019 SC 2390.
In summoning the accused, it is not necessary for the
Magistrate to examine the merits and demerits of the case and whether
the materials collected is adequate for supporting the conviction. The
court is not required to evaluate the evidence and its merits. The
standard to be adopted for summoning the accused under Section
204 Cr.P.C., 1973 is not the same at the time of framing the charge. For
issuance of summons under Section 204 Cr.P.C., 1973 the expression
used is "there is sufficient ground for proceeding....."; whereas for
framing the charges, the expression used in Sections 240 and 246 IPC
is "there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an
offence..... ". At the stage of taking cognizance of the offence based
upon a police report and for issuance of summons under Section
204 Cr.P.C., 1973 detailed enquiry regarding the merits and demerits of
the case is not required. The fact that after investigation of the case, the
police has filed charge sheet along with the materials thereon may be
considered as sufficient ground for proceeding for issuance of summons
under Section 204 Cr.P.C.,1973.–State of Gujarat v. Afroz Mohammed
Hasanfatta, AIR 2019 SC 2499
Magistrate Order to Police for Investigation under
Sec.156(3) and under Sec. 202 (1) – Legality:
In Devarapalli Lakshminarayana Reddy v. Narayana Reddy,
(1976) 3 SCC 252, a three Judges bench of Supreme Court held,
Section 156(3) occurs in Chapter XII, under the caption: "Information to
the Police and their powers to investigate"; while section 202 is in
Chapter XV which bears the heading "of complaints to Magistrates". The
power it order police investigation under section 156(3) is different from
the power to direct investigation conferred by section 202(1). The two
operate in distinct spheres at different stages. The first is exercisable at
the pre cognizance stage, the second at the post-cognizance stage
when the Magistrate is in seisin of the case. 'That is to say in the case of
a complaint regarding the commission of a cognizable offence, the
power under section 156(3) can be invoked by the Magistrate before he
takes cognizance of the offence under section 190(1)(a). But if he once
takes such cognizance and embarks upon the procedure embodied in
Chapter XV, he is not competent to switch back to the pre-cognizance
stage and avail of section 156(3). It may be noted further that an order
made under sub-section (3) of section 156, is in the nature of a
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peremptory reminder or intimation to the police to exercise their plenary
powers of investigation under section 156(1). Such an investigation
embraces the entire continuous process which begins with the collection
of evidence under section 156 and ends with a report or chargesheet
under section 173. On the other hand section 202 comes in at a stage
when some evidence has been collected by the Magistrate in
proceedings under Chapter XV, but the same is deemed insufficient to
take a decision as to the next step in the prescribed procedure. In such a
situation, the Magistrate is empowered under section 202 to direct within
the limits circumscribed by that section, an investigation "for the purpose
of deciding whether or not here is sufficient ground for proceeding ".
Thus the object of an investigation under section 202 is not to initiate a
fresh case on police report but to assist the Magistrate in completing
proceedings already instituted upon a complaint before him.
B. Clause (b) Upon Police Report;
The expression ‗police report‘ has been defined by section
2(r) as meaning ―a report by a police officer to a magistrate under
section 173(2)‖ i.e., the report forwarded by the police after the
completion of investigation.
When cognizance is taken on a police report, it must be as
defined in section 2(r) and one forwarded by a police officer to a
magistrate under section 173(2) Cr.P.C. and it is for the magistrate to
decide whether the police report is complete. His power cannot be
controlled by the investigating agency.
On receiving police report magistrate may take cognizance of
the offense under section 190(1)(b) and straightaway issue process.
This he may do irrespective of the view expressed by the police in their
report whether an offense has been made out or not. The magistrate has
not to proceed mechanically in agreeing with the opinion formed by the
police, but has to apply his mind and pursue the papers placed before
him. He has to apply his mind to all the details embodied in the police
report and to other documents and papers submitted along with the
report. The law is well-settled that even if the investigating authority is of
the view that no case has been made out against an accused, the
Magistrate can apply his mind independently to the materials contained
in the police report and take cognizance thereupon in exercise of his
powers under Section 190(1)(b) Cr.P.C - Uma Shankar Singh vs. State
of Bihar & Anr. (2010) 9 SCC 479.
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behalf. Section 194 provides for cognizance being taken by High Court
of offences upon a commitment made to it in the manner provided in the
Code.
An examination of these provisions makes it clear that when a
Magistrate takes cognizance of an offence upon receiving a complaint of
facts which constitute such offence a case is instituted in the
Magistrate's Court and such a case is one instituted on a complaint.
Again, when a Magistrate takes cognizance of any offence upon a report
in writing of such facts made by any police officer it is a case instituted in
the Magistrate's Court on a police report.
In Devarapalli Lakshminarayana Reddy v. Narayana
Reddy, (1976) 3 SCC 252, a three Judges bench of Hon‘ble Supreme
Court hold that,
What is meant by "taking cognizance of an offence" by the
Magistrate within the contemplation of Section 190. This expression has
not been defined in the Code. But from the scheme of the Code, the
content and marginal heading of Section 190 and the caption of Chapter
XIV under which Sections 190 to 199 occur, it is clear that a case can be
said to be instituted in a Court only when the Court takes cognizance of
the offence alleged therein. The ways in which such cognizance can be
taken are set out in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section 190 (1). Whether
the Magistrate has or has not taken cognizance of the offence will
depend on the circumstances of the particular case including the mode
in which the case is sought to be instituted, and the nature of the
preliminary action, if any, taken by the Magistrate.
Section 190(2) provides that The Chief Judicial Magistrate may
specially empower any magistrate of the second class as mentioned to
take cognizance of such offences as are within his competence to
inquire into or try.
Important Points on Cognizance:
To sum up following points can be culled out from above
discussion.
i) It does not involve any formal action of any kind;
ii) It occurs as soon as the Magistrate applies his mind to the
suspected commission of an offence;
iii) It is before the commencement of criminal proceedings;
iv) It is necessary step for holding a valid trial;
v) Cognizance is of an offence and not an offender; Whether the
Magistrate has taken cognizance of an offence or not depends
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on the facts and circumstances of each case, as no particular
form is necessary
vi) It implies judicious application of mind to the averments in the
complaints under sec. 190 ;
vii) It requires consideration as whether there is sufficient ground
for proceeding further in a direction for taking action under
subsequent provisions or Chapter XV ;
viii) If there is sufficient ground for proceedings, then the Magistrate
can issue the process under Sec. 204 Cr.P.C.
ix) A report of police that no case is made out can be rejected and
magistrate can take cognizance or order further investigation
under Sec 173 (8) Cr.P.C.
Transfer on the Application of the Accused:
Section 191 which is based on principle of fair trial that a
complainant cannot be a judge, allows the transfer of a case, by Chief
Judicial Magistrate, when instituted under sec.190(1)(c) Upon
information received from any person other than a police officer, or upon
his own knowledge, on application of transfer by accused, and is as
under;
191. Transfer on application of the accused.—When a
Magistrate takes cognizance of an offence under clause (c) of
sub-section (1) of section 190, the accused shall, before any
evidence is taken, be informed that he is entitled to have the
case inquired into or tried by another Magistrate, and if the
accused or any of the accused, if there be more than one,
objects to further proceedings before the Magistrate taking
cognizance, the case shall be transferred to such other
Magistrate as may be specified by the Chief Judicial Magistrate
in this behalf.
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unless the case has been committed to it by a Magistrate under
this Code.
Whereas section 194 provides that Additional and Assistant
Sessions Judges to try cases made over to them - Additional Sessions
Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge shall try such cases as the Sessions
Judge of the division may, by general or special order, make over to him
for trial or as the High Court may, by special order, direct him to try.
Cognizance taken by a Magistrate not empowered
If any magistrate not empowered to take cognizance of an
offense under S. 190(1)(a) and 190(1)(b), does erroneously in good faith
take cognizance of an offense, his proceeding shall not be set aside
merely on the ground of his not being empowered.
Purshottam Jethanand v. State of Kutch, AIR 1954 SC 700
the Hon‘ble Apex Court held that
“If a magistrate takes cognizance of an offense and proceeds
with a trial though he is not empowered in that behalf and
convicts the accused, the accused cannot avail himself of the
defect and cannot demand that his conviction be set aside
merely on the ground of such irregularity, unless there is
something on the record to show that the magistrate had
assumed the power, not erroneously and in good faith, but
purposely having knowledge that he did not have any such
power‖.
On the other hand, if a magistrate who is not empowered to
take cognizance of an offense takes cognizance upon information
received or upon his own knowledge under S.190(1)(c) his proceeding
shall be void and of no effect. In such a case it is immaterial whether he
was acting erroneously in good faith or otherwise.
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aggrieved party can file a complaint and bar under
section 195(1) (b) is not to apply.
17
This section makes a very important provision in favour of
the complainants who cannot file the complaint due to
reasons mentioned in the section like age, sickness,
infirmity, lunacy etc. or a woman who due to customs is not
to appear in public, some person on their behalf with the
leave of the court can file such complaint on his or her
behlalf.
Limitation of six months has also been provided by sub
section (5) which further bars taking the cognizance by the
court of sessions if the same is not filed within this period
from the date of the offence.
Cognizance under Special Enactments
Section 4 of Code of Criminal Procedure needs a reference to
understand cognizance under special enactments. It says:
―4. Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws-
(1) All offences under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) shall be
investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with
according to the provisions hereinafter contained.
(2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired
into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same
provisions, but subject to any enactment for the time being in force
regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into,
trying or otherwise dealing with such offences.‖
On going through this provision one comes to the conclusion that
when it is an offence under some Special Act then trying of the offence
under that legislation will be according to the provision with regard to
cognizance under that Act. Hon‘ble Supreme Court in Gancula Ashok
and Anr vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 2000 SC 740, has
observed that when a Special Court is empowered to take cognizance
under the Act in question, in view of section 197 Cr.P.C. committal order
is must unless it is made clear in the special enactment that committal
order is not required or there will be direct institution in the court of
special judge.
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Government may, by notification in the official Gazette
constitute as many Special Courts as may be felt necessary for
such area.
According to section 36 (2) Special Court shall consist of a
single judge who shall be appointed by the Government with the
concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
According to sub section (3) a person shall not be qualified for a
judge of special court unless he is, immediately before such
appointment, a Sessions Judge or an Additional Sessions
Judge.
Section 36(A)(1) which is with regard to offences triable by
Special Courts says that notwithstanding anything contained in
the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) –
(a) All offences under this Act which are punishable with
imprisonment for a term of more than three years shall be
triable only by the Special Court constituted for the area in
which the offence has been committed or where there are
more Special Courts than one for which area, by such one of
them as may be specified in this behalf by the Government;
The combined reading of sub section (b) and (c) of this
section speaks of the fact that how the accused suspected of
commission of an offence will be forwarded to a magistrate
for a custody under section 167 of the Cr.P.C. and what are
the limitations on the authority of the magistrate to remand
such accused in police or judicial custody. Further according
to these provisions he has to be referred to the special court
having jurisdiction on forwarding of the accused before him
and if according to him the further detention is unnecessary
he will forward such accused to the special court having
jurisdiction.
Regarding taking of cognizance by the Special Court, section
36(A)(1)(d) says, that a Special Court may, upon perusal of
police report of the facts constituting an offence under this
Act or upon complaint made by an officer of the Central
Government or a State Government authorized in his behalf,
take cognizance of that offence without the accused being
committed to it for trial.
A combined reading of the above leads us to the conclusion
that under the NDPS Act, a Special Judge is to take
cognizance under cases where the punishment is for more
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than three years, is to take the cognizance without the
accused having been committed to it as per section 193 of
Cr.P.C.
It is relevant to mention that the action under section 167 on
the first date is to be taken by the magistrate, where the
accused is so forwarded to him and his detention has been
authorized by such magistrate, then subsequently after the
expiry of that period or at any time before the expiry period of
that detention the special judge can exercise in relation to
such person same power with the magistrate can exercise
under section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
(It is to be taken note of that it is not taking of the cognizance
in the case.)
(3) When trying any case, a special Judge may also try any
offence, other than an offence specified in section 3, with
which the accused may, under the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be charged at the same trial.
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shall, as far as practicable, hold the trial of an offence on
day-to-day basis.
What procedure is to be adopted to take the cognizance of
the case under this Act has been envisaged in section 5 of the
Act?
21
(5) A special Judge may pass upon any person convicted by
him any sentence authorised by law for the punishment of
the offence of which such person is convicted.
(6) A special Judge, while trying an offence punishable under
this Act, shall exercise all the powers and functions
exercisable by a District Judge under the Criminal Law
Amendment Ordinance, 1944 (Ordinance 38 of 1944).
From the above it transpires that under this Act a special
judge has the power to take cognizance in a case against the
accused without having the committal order of the magistrate as
per section 193 of Cr.P.C. The institution of the case is direct and
the challan / complaint under this Act are to be directly put in the
court of special judge concerned. The position of the special judge
is sui generous as in sub section (4) he is deemed to have been a
magistrate and in sub section 6 he is to exercise the powers of
district judge. Apart from it certain powers have been given to the
special judges under this Act to try the cases summarily as per
section 6 of the Act.
As per section 19 of the Act a bar on cognizance has also
been placed on the court. No court can take the cognizance
against any public servant for an offence which he has committed
while holding this position except without the sanction of the
competent authority. The protection is available even to the public
servants who have retired or have demitted the office in any
manner. (Under the amended provision of 2018)
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notification in the Official Gazette, specify for such Districts,
the Court of Session to be a Special Court to try the offences
under this Act: Provided further that the Courts so
established or specified shall have power to directly take
cognizance of offences under this Act.
(2) It shall be the duty of the State Government to establish
adequate number of Courts to ensure that cases under this
Act are disposed of within a period of two months, as far as
possible.
(3) In every trial in the Special Court or the Exclusive Special
Court, the proceedings shall be continued from day-to-day
until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined,
unless the Special Court or the Exclusive Special Court finds
the adjournment of the same beyond the following day to be
necessary for reasons to be recorded in writing: Provided
that when the trial relates to an offence under this Act, the
trial shall, as far as possible, be completed within a period of
two months from the date of filing of the charge sheet.‖.
Thus now the special court or exclusive special court
can take cognizance against the accused directly without any
committal order of the magistrate. Further as per the section
the case is to be disposed of within a period of two months
as much as practicable after taking the cognizance.
4. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
This is also a special legislation to protect children from
sexual assault and harassment, pornography and provide for
establishment of special courts for trial of such offences and
connected or incidental thereto.
Section 28 provides that there will be designated special
court for trial of offences under this Act which reads as :
Section 28 - Designation of Special Courts
(1) For the purposes of providing a speedy trial, the State
Government shall in consultation with the Chief Justice
of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette,
designate for each district, a Court of Session to be a
Special Court to try the offences under the Act:
Provided that if a Court of Session is notified as a
children's court under the Commissions for Protection of
Child Rights Act, 2005(4 of 2006) or a Special Court
designated for similar purposes under any other law for
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the time being in force, then, such court shall be deemed
to be a Special Court under this section.
(2) While trying an offence under this Act, a Special Court
shall also try an offence other than the offence referred
to in sub-section (1), with which the accused may, under
the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974), be
charged at the same trial.
(3) The Special Court constituted under this Act,
notwithstanding anything in the Information Technology
Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), shall have jurisdiction to try
offences under section 67B of that Act in so far as it
relates to publication or transmission of sexually explicit
material depicting children in any act, or conduct or
manner or facilitates abuse of children online.
Regarding the cognizance taken by the special court of
the offences under the Act section 33 (1) deals with the
cognizance to be taken by the court.
Section 33 Procedure and powers of Special Court
(1) A Special Court may take cognizance of any offence,
without the accused being committed to it for trial, upon
receiving a complaint of facts which constitute such
offence, or upon a police report of such facts.
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the Government or the public authority to confiscate the
property earned from the illegally gained proceeds.
The Act provides for the constitution of Special Courts for the
trial of offences under it. Section 44 deals with special courts
which states as:
Sec.44. Offences triable by Special Courts.
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Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) as it applies to a trial before
a Court of Session.
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Computing the period of limitation u/s 468
There was a lot of controversy as to from which date the period of
limitation is to be computed i.e. whether from the institution of
complaint/prosecution or the date on which the magistrate takes
cognizance of the offence. But as of now the same has been set at rest
by the Constitutional Bench of Hon‘ble Supreme Court in Mrs. Sarah
Mathew vs. Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases by its Director,
2014(2) SCC 62. Accordingly, for the purpose of computing the period of
limitation u/s 468 Cr.P.C the relevant date is the date of filing of the
complaint or institution of prosecution, and not the date on which the
Magistrate takes cognizance.
Conclusion:
The word ‗Cognizance‘ is not defined in the Criminal
Procedure Code. Basically, it means applying the Judicial mind to a
suspected commission of the offence. Chapter XIV of Cr.P.C deals with
‗Conditions Requisite for Initiation of Proceeding‘ and Chapter XV of
Cr.P.C deals with ‗Complaints to Magistrates‘. Taking of cognizance
does not postulate any specific order or stage after or before which it is
to be said that cognizance has been taken. Rather it is to be gathered
from the facts at which stage after the filing of the challan or complaint or
information covered under section 190 for taking cognizance, the
magistrate has decided to move in a particular direction for taking further
steps under Chapter XIV and XV so as to finally arrive to section 204
under Chapter XVI.
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