MMDR Act Offences: SC explains Magistrate’s Powers to direct investigation

Jayant Etc Vs State of Madhya Pradesh (Supreme Court of India) The court’s conclusions established that a magistrate can order the registration of a crime case or FIR under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure even for offences under the MMDR Act, without attracting the bar under Section 22 of the Act. However, the bar under Section 22 is applicable when the magistrate takes cognizance of offences under the MMDR Act and orders the issuance of process or summons. The court further clarified that for offences under the IPC, the magistrate can take cognizance based on a police r...