(a)A police officer empowered to hold enquiries, who receives information that a European soldier or officer of the Army has committed suicide, or has been killed, or has died in the circumstances mentioned in section 174(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, shall not proceed to the spot, but shall confine his action to sending an immediate report to the nearest Magistrate empowered to hold inquests.(b)Death of a prisoner in police custody. - When a person died in the custody of the police, the officer empowered to hold enquiries, who receives notice of his death, shall send information at once to the nearest Magistrate, but he shall not refrain from commencing an inquiry under section 17.4 of that Code himself. Information shall also be given by telegram, if possible, to the Superintendent and, if not, by the quickest means of communication available.
