Meaning of Cognizable Offense in India

Cognizable offense means an offense where a police officer can arrest without warrant. In the language of law:

• cognizable offense means an offense for which, and ‘cognizable case’ means a case in which, a police officer may, in accordance with the First Schedule or under any other law for the time being in force, arrest without warrant.

Following are some examples of Cognizable offense:

-Waging or attempting to wage war, or abetting the waging of war against the government of India,

-Murder,

-Rape,

-Dowry Death,

-Kidnapping,

-Theft,

-Criminal Breach of Trust,

-Unnatural Offenses.

• Section 154 of CrPc provides, that under a Cognizable case or offense. The Police Officer has to receive the First Information Report (FIR) relating to such offense. Which can be without the Magistrate’s permission and enter it in the General Diary and immediately start the investigation.
• If this kind of offense has been committed, the Police Officer can investigate without the Magistrate’s permission.