This document defines and compares cognizable and non-cognizable offenses. Cognizable offenses allow the police to independently investigate and make arrests without court approval, are non-bailable, and include crimes like murder, rape, and theft. Non-cognizable offenses require court permission for investigation and arrests, are bailable, and include crimes like forgery, cheating, and assault. The key difference is whether the police have autonomous power to investigate or require court approval.

1. Cognizable and Non-
Cognizable
By: Nitin Pandey
(CEO Forensic.India)

2. Definition
Cognizable
 Cognizable offence is one in which the police is authorized to take cognizance of
the crime at its own.
 Permission of court is not required for investigation.
 Non- bailable offences.

3. Non-Cognizable offence.
 Non-cognizable offences refers to the offences in which the police has no authority to
apprehend a person for crime on its own.
 Permission of Court is required.
 Bailable offence.

4. Arrest
 For cognizable crime warrant is not required.
 For Non- Cognizable crime warrant is required.

5. Court approval
 In cognizable crime the court permission is not required to start the
investigation. Police personnel can themselves start the investigation.
 In Non-Cognizable crime the court permission is required to start the
investigation. Police personnel has to wait for the court approval for the
investigation.

6. Petition
 In Non-Cognizable crime only complaint is required.
 In Cognizable crime F.I.R and complaint.

7. Example of cases
 Cognizable crime: Murder, rape, theft, kidnapping, etc.
 Non- Cognizable crime: Forgery, cheating, assault, defamation etc.