Section 196(3) in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(3)The Central Government or the State Government may, before according sanction [under sub-section (1) or sub-section (1-A) and the District Magistrate may, before according sanction under sub-section (1-A)] [Substituted by Act 63 of 1980, Section 3, for under sub-Section (1) (w.e.f. 23-9-1980).] and the State Government or the District Magistrate may, before giving consent under sub-section (2), order a preliminary investigation by a police officer not being below the rank of Inspector, in which case such police officer shall have the powers referred to in sub-section (3) of section 155.
