Criminal law me cognizable offences wo hote hain jahan police FIR register karke seedha arrest kar sakti hai, court ki prior permission ke bina – usually serious crimes (theft, assault, etc.). Non-cognizable me police pehle complaint note karti hai, lekin investigation/arrest ke liye magistrate ka order chahiye.
Victim ke liye difference yeh hai ki cognizable matter me station se hi FIR aur investigation demand ki ja sakti hai. Non-cognizable me police aksar NCR ya DD entry karke court approach karne ko bolti hai.
Kabhi-kabhi police galat classification use karke case ko soft treat kar deti hai, ya genuine non-cognizable ko zabardasti cognizable bana deti hai. Dono situations me legal challenge possible hai.
Accused ke rights bhi yahan link hote hain – sudden arrest, custody, bail type sab offence nature pe depend karega. Logon ke liye basic awareness zaroori hai taaki unhe pata ho ki particular allegation kis category me fall karta hai.