Section 157 of Cr.P.C. deals with a situation with regard to investigation, how the investigation be conducted by the Investigation Officer [IO] and when he can proceed with the arrest of the Accused.

Based on the information received on commission of offence and or from the powers derived by the Officer Incharge under Section 156 of Cr.P.C. to investigate over the suspected offence, the Officer requires to send a report to the concerned Magistrate. He then proceed with the investigation, if need be, he can arrest the offender and engage in the discovery of the material used for committing the offence.

Otherwise, the Officer Incharge can also depute his subordinate officers to conduct an inquiry in his place if he receives an information of offence committed by a person and the same was not of serious nature.

Even if the IO found that the there was no sufficient ground to proceed with the Complaint he can drop the investigation therein.

[This Section carries a portion, which was inserted in the year 2009, wherein the rape victim must be inquired at her residence or at the place of her choice possibly by a Women Police Officer in the presence of her Parents or Guardian or near Relatives or Social Worker of the locality.]

The Officer Incharge must file a report for not complying with this Section to the concerned Magistrate and also requires to notify to the Informant the reason for his dropping investigations on his Complaint.