Section 174 in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989 (1933 A. D.)
174. Police to enquire and report on suicide etc.
(1)The officer-incharge of a police station or some other police officer specially empowered by the [Government] [Substituted by Act XV of 2004 for 'High Court'.] in that behalf, on receiving information that a person-(a)has committed suicide ; or(b)has been killed by another, or by an animal, or by machinery, or by an accident ; or(c)has died under circumstances raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person has committed an offence, shall immediately give intimation thereof to the nearest magistrate empowered to hold inquests, and, unless otherwise directed by any rule-prescribed by the [Government] [Substituted by Act XV of 2004 for 'High Court'.] or by any general or special order of the District or Sub-Divisional Magistrate, shall proceed to the place where the body of such deceased person is, and there, in the presence of two or more respectable inhabitants of the neighbourhood, shall make an investigation, and draw up a report of the apparent cause of death, describing such wounds, fractures, burises and other marks of injury as may be found on the body, and stating in what manner, or by what weapon or instrument (if any), such marks appear to have been inflicted.(2)The report shall be signed by such police officer and other persons, or by so many of them as concur therein, and shall be forthwith forwarded to the District Magistrate or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.[(2-A) Where the report relates to death of a person by an accident, such police officer shall forthwith forward copy of the report to the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, J&K, State Legal Aid and Advice Board and the person entitled to claim compensation. Such report shall also state the identification marks and other particulars of the vehicle, the name and address of the person who was using the vehicle at the time of the accident and the particulars of the insurer against whom a claim can be made, in respect of the motor vehicle.] [Inserted by Act XXXVI of 1988, Section 6.](3)[ When-(i)the case involves suicide by a woman within seven years of her marriage ; or(ii)the case relates to the death of woman within seven years of her marriage in any circumstances raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person committed an offence in relation to such woman ; or(iii)the case relates to the death of a woman within seven years of her marriage and any relative of the woman has made a request in this behalf ; or(iv)there is any doubt regarding the cause of death ;(v)the police officer for any other reason considers it expedient so to do ; he shall,]Subject to such rules as the [Government] [Substituted by Act XV of 2004 for 'High Court'.] may prescribe in this behalf, forward the body, with a view to its being examined, to the nearest medical officer or other qualified medical man appointed in this behalf by [Government] [Substituted by Act VII of 2001 for 'His Highness'.] if the state of the weather and the distance admit of its being so forwarded without risk of such putrefaction on the road as would render such examination useless.(4)Omitted.(5)The following Magistrates are empowered to hold inquests, namely, any District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or [Executive Magistrate of the first class and any other Executive Magistrate] [Substituted by Act XL of 1966.] especially empowered in this behalf by the [Government] [Substituted by Act XV of 2004 for 'High Court'.].
