Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 — Section 173: Report of police-officer

173. Report of police-officer.__1[(1) Every investigation under this Chapter shall be completed without unnecessary delay, and, as soon as it is completed, the officer in charge of the police-station shall 2[,through the Public Prosecutor,]

(a)forward to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence on a police-report a report, in the form prescribed by the 3[Provincial Government], setting forth the names of the parties, the nature of the information and the names of the persons who appear to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case, and stating whether the accused (if arrested) has been forwarded in custody, or has been released on his bond, and, if so, whether with or without sureties, and

(b)communicate, in such manner as may be prescribed by the 3[Provincial Government], the action taken by him to the person, if any, by whom the information relating to the commission of the offence was first given 2[:]] Provided that the same shall be paid for unless the Magistrate for some special reason thinks fit to furnish it free of cost.] 1 [(5) Where the officer in charge of a police-station forwards a report under sub-section (1), he shall alongwith the report produce the witnesses in the case, except the public servants, and the Magistrate shall bind such witnesses for appearance before him or some other Court on the date fixed for trial.]