Local inquiry
Full Text
(1) Whenever a local inquiry is necessary for the purposes of section 164, section 165 or section 166, a District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate may depute any Magistrate subordinate to him to make the inquiry, and may furnish him with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance, and may declare by whom the expenses shall be paid.
(2) The report of the person so deputed may be read as evidence in the case.
(3) The Magistrate passing a decision may direct by whom costs shall be paid, including expenses incurred in respect of witnesses and of advocates’ fees, which the Court may consider reasonable.
Plain English Summary
Section 167 (formerly Section 148 CrPC) provides for local inquiries in property disputes and the awarding of legal costs, including advocate fees.
Key Legal Elements
- Successor to Section 148 CrPC
- Delegation of field inquiries to subordinate Magistrates
- Inquiry report admissible as evidence
- Power to award costs of proceedings
- Inclusion of reasonable advocate fees in costs
Practical Note
Allows the Magistrate to get a first-hand report of the ground reality. The explicit mention of advocate fees helps in recovering legal expenses.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) यदि संपत्ति विवादों (धारा 164, 165, या 166) के लिए स्थानीय जांच की आवश्यकता है, तो DM या SDM किसी अधीनस्थ मजिस्ट्रेट को जांच के लिए नियुक्त कर सकता है, निर्देश दे सकता है और यह तय कर सकता है कि जांच का खर्च कौन उठाएगा।
(2) नियुक्त व्यक्ति की रिपोर्ट को मामले में साक्ष्य के रूप में पढ़ा जा सकता है।
(3) मजिस्ट्रेट यह भी तय कर सकता है कि कार्यवाही की कानूनी लागत (जैसे गवाहों का खर्च और वकील की फीस) कौन भरेगा।