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Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XI: Maintenance Of Public Order And Tranquillity

Section 159 BNSS: Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc

Corresponding CrPC
Section 140 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) Where the Magistrate directs a local investigation by any person under section 158, the Magistrate may—

(a) furnish such person with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance;

(b) declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the local investigation shall be paid.

(2) The report of such person may be read as evidence in the case.

(3) Where the Magistrate summons and examines an expert under section 158, the Magistrate may direct by whom the costs of such summoning and examination shall be paid.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Allows the Magistrate who directs a local investigation to give the investigator written instructions and to declare who bears the expenses. The investigator's report may be read as evidence, and the Magistrate may also direct who pays the costs of summoning and examining an expert.

Chapter XI: Maintenance Of Public Order And Tranquillity

  1. 148 Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force
  2. 149 Use of armed forces to disperse assembly
  3. 150 Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly
  4. 151 Protection against prosecution for acts done under sections 148, 149 and 150
  5. 152 Conditional order for removal of nuisance
  6. 153 Service or notification of order
  7. 154 Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause
  8. 155 Penalty for failure to comply with section 154
  9. 156 Procedure where existence of public right is denied
  10. 157 Procedure where person against whom order is made under section 152 appears to show-cause
  11. 158 Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert
  12. 159 Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc
  13. 160 Procedure on order being made absolute and consequences of disobedience
  14. 161 Injunction pending inquiry
  15. 162 Magistrate may prohibit repetition or Continuance of public nuisance
  16. 163 Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger
  17. 164 Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace
  18. 165 Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver
  19. 166 Dispute concerning right of use of land or water
  20. 167 Local inquiry
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