Section 196: Inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death.

Q: What does Section 196 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) deal with?

Section 196 BNSS pertains to "Inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death.". It is part of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) governs inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 196 BNSS still in force?

Yes, Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 196 BNSS?

धारा 196 BNSS is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) governs inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 196 BNSS?

Dhara 196 BNSS is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) governs inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 196 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?

Cite as: "Section 196, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, § 196 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1) When the case is of the nature referred to in clause (i) or clause (ii) of sub-section (3) of section 194, the nearest Magistrate empowered to hold inquests shall, and in any other case mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 194, any Magistrate so empowered may hold an inquiry into the cause of death either instead of, or in addition to, the investigation held by the police officer; and if he does so, he shall have all the powers in conducting it which he would have in holding an inquiry into an offence.
(2) Where,—
(a) any person dies or disappears; or
(b) rape is alleged to have been committed on any woman, while such person or woman is in the custody of the police or in any other custody authorisedby the Magistrate or the Court, under this Sanhita in addition to the inquiry or investigation held by the police, an inquiry shall be held by the Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction the offence has been committed.
(3) The Magistrate holding such an inquiry shall record the evidence taken by him in connection therewith in any manner hereinafter specified according to the circumstances of the case.
(4) Whenever such Magistrate considers it expedient to make an examination of the dead body of any person who has been already interred, in order to discover the cause of his death, the Magistrate may cause the body to be disinterred and examined.
(5) Where an inquiry is to be held under this section, the Magistrate shall, wherever practicable, inform the relatives of the deceased whose names and addresses are known, and shall allow them to remain present at the inquiry.
(6) The Magistrate or the Executive Magistrate or the police officer holding an inquiry or investigation under sub-section (2) shall, within twenty-four hours of the death of a person, forward the body with a view to its being examined to the nearest Civil Surgeon or other qualified medical person appointed in this behalf by the State Government, unless it is not possible to do so for reasons to be recorded in writing.
Explanation.—In this section, the expression "relative " means parents, children, brothers, sisters and spouse.