178. The Magistrate, on receiving a report under section 176, may direct an investigation, or, if he thinks fit, at once proceed, or depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to proceed, to hold a preliminary inquiry into, or otherwise to dispose of, the case in the manner provided in this Sanhita.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 171 Prevention of injury to public property
Section 172 Persons bound to conform to lawful directions of police
Section 173 Information in cognizable cases
Section 174 Information as to non cognizable cases and investigation of such cases
Section 175 Police officers power to investigate cognizable case
Section 176 Procedure for investigation
Section 177 Report how submitted
Section 178 Power to hold investigation or preliminary inquiry
Section 179 Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses