# 8 CrPC words you must know cold.

> Flashcards straight from section 4(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with a quick self-test.

- Topic: Law study
- For: Law students
- A 9-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/8-crpc-words-you-must-know-cold
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-10

## Flashcards 1 to 3.

From section 4(1), Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

- **Cognizable offence** Police may arrest without warrant, under Schedule II or any other law. (s.4(1)(f))
- **Non-cognizable** Police may not arrest without warrant. (s.4(1)(n))
- **Bailable** Shown as bailable in Schedule II or made bailable by another law. Every other offence is non-bailable. (s.4(1)(b))

## Flashcards 4 to 6.

The three words students mix up most.

- **Complaint** An allegation to a Magistrate, orally or in writing, for action. Not a police report. (s.4(1)(h))
- **Investigation** Collecting evidence, by a police officer or a person (not a Magistrate) authorised by a Magistrate. (s.4(1)(l))
- **Inquiry** Every inquiry, other than a trial, by a Magistrate or Court. (s.4(1)(k))

## Flashcards 7 and 8.

Short, and asked every year.

- **Offence** Any act or omission made punishable by any law in force. (s.4(1)(o))
- **Judicial proceeding** Any proceeding in which evidence is or may be legally taken on oath. (s.4(1)(m))

## Test yourself.

Cover the answer. Swipe to check.

- **A. A complaint**
- **B. Not a complaint**
- **C. A charge**

## Answer: B. Not a complaint.

The definition excludes it in terms.

> "the allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action, under this Code that some person whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but it does not include the report of a police officer." (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 · Section 4(1)(h))

## Pair them to remember.

Learn the contrast, not just the word.

- **Cognizable or not** Can police arrest without a warrant?
- **Bailable or not** Does Schedule II (or another law) make it bailable?
- **Investigation or inquiry** Police collecting evidence, or a Magistrate or Court inquiring.

## Stuck on a section? Ask FAI.

It answers with the exact clause and the judgments that explain it.

- **Difference between inquiry and investigation under the CrPC, with case law.**
- **Is the offence under section 379 PPC cognizable and bailable?**

## What this does not mean

- A police report is not a complaint. The definition in s.4(1)(h) excludes it in terms.
- A Magistrate does not investigate. Investigation is by a police officer or a person, not a Magistrate, authorised by a Magistrate (s.4(1)(l)).
- Bailable status comes only from Schedule II or another law. Every other offence is non-bailable (s.4(1)(b)).

## Questions people ask

### What is a cognizable offence in Pakistan?

One for which police may arrest without a warrant, under Schedule II or any other law (s.4(1)(f) CrPC).

### What is a non-cognizable offence?

One for which police may not arrest without a warrant (s.4(1)(n) CrPC).

### Is a police report a complaint under the CrPC?

No. A complaint is an allegation, oral or written, made to a Magistrate for action, and the definition does not include the report of a police officer (s.4(1)(h)).

### What is the difference between inquiry and investigation in CrPC?

Investigation is collecting evidence by a police officer or a person authorised by a Magistrate (s.4(1)(l)). Inquiry is every inquiry, other than a trial, by a Magistrate or Court (s.4(1)(k)).

### How do I know if an offence is bailable or not?

An offence is bailable if Schedule II shows it as bailable or another law makes it bailable. Every other offence is non-bailable (s.4(1)(b)).

## Sources

- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 · Section 4(1)(h): "Complaint"

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