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Section 166 — When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant
166
166
When officer in charge of police station may require another to issue search-warrant
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Chapter XII Information to The Police and Their Powers to Investigate
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Reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate · Practicing since 31 years
📅 Updated 2026-04-10📚 Source: The Gazette of India
Police ProcedureInvestigationSearch And SeizureProcedural Law
🗣️ Simple Explanation
What does this law say? Section 166 of the CrPC talks about when a police officer can ask another police station to help with a search. If a police officer needs to search a place, they can ask another officer in a different police station to do it for them. This is true even if the other police station is in a different area.
Why does this law exist? This law helps police investigate crimes efficiently. It allows them to search places quickly, even if they are outside their usual area. This helps to find evidence and catch criminals faster.
Real-life impact Imagine a theft happens, and the stolen items are believed to be in another police station's area. This law allows the investigating officer to quickly get help from the other police station to search for the items. This speeds up the investigation.
What happens if you break this law? This section itself doesn't describe breaking a law. It's about how police officers work together. If a police officer doesn't follow the rules of this section, they might face disciplinary action from their superiors.
💡 Real Life Example

Rahul is investigating a cybercrime. He believes the suspect's computer is in another city. He uses Section 166 to ask the local police there to search the computer. If the search finds evidence of the crime, it can be used in court.

Priya is investigating a case of stolen goods. She believes the goods are hidden in a warehouse in another district. She asks the local police to search the warehouse. If the goods are found, the suspect can be arrested.

🛡️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
  • •Understand the police's request for assistance.
  • •Cooperate with the search if it is legal.
  • •Seek legal advice if you have concerns about the search.
  • •Ensure the search is conducted according to the law.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Section 166 of the CrPC allows a police officer to ask another police station to conduct a search. This is helpful when evidence might be in a different area. The officer making the request must have a valid reason to believe a search is necessary. The other police station then follows the search rules.
Section 166 itself doesn't have a punishment. It's a procedural section about how police officers cooperate. If a police officer doesn't follow the rules, they might face internal disciplinary action. This could include warnings or other penalties from their superiors.
Sources & References

📒 Legal text sourced from The Gazette of India & AdvocateKhoj Bare Acts Library

⚖️ Content reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate, with 31 years of legal practice

📚 Act Reference: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate for specific legal matters.

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