Criminal Procedure Code · Updated to 1 May 2023 · Part VIII · Special Proceedings
339. Power of Public Prosecutor to require inquiry to be held
Feedback & supportThe Public Prosecutor may at any time direct a Magistrate to hold an inquiry under this Chapter into the cause of, and the circumstances connected with, any death such as is referred to in sections 329 and 334, and the Magistrate to whom such direction is given shall then proceed to hold an inquiry and shall record his finding as to the cause of death and also as to any of the circumstances connected with it with regard to which the Public Prosecutor may have directed him to make inquiry.
inquiry
“inquiry” includes every inquiry conducted under this Code before a Magistrate;
When the proceedings at any inquiry under this Chapter have been closed and it appears to the Public Prosecutor that further investigation is necessary, the Public Prosecutor may direct the
Magistrate to reopen the inquiry and to make further investigation, and thereupon the Magistrate shall have full power to reopen the inquiry and make further investigation and thereafter to proceed in the same manner as if the proceedings at the inquiry had not been closed:
Provided that this subsection shall not apply to any inquiry at which a finding of murder or culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been returned against any person.
When giving any direction under this section the Public Prosecutor may also direct whether the body shall or shall not be exhumed.
All directions given under this section shall be complied with by the
Magistrate to whom they are addressed without unnecessary delay.