Section 176 Cr.P.C. deals with a situation where a Magistrate’s inquiry into cause of death.

When the case is similar to that of suspicious death narrated in Section 174 of Cr.P.C. any Magistrate so empowered to hold an inquiry into the inquest into the cause of death separately or in addition to the investigation by the IO he has all the powers in conducting it which he would have in holding an inquiry into an offence;

Where

Any person dies or disappears, or

Rape is alleged to have been committed on any woman,

While such person or woman is in the custody of the Police or in any other custody authorised by the Magistrate or the Court, in addition to inquiry or investigation conducted by the Police, an inquiry shall also be conducted by the Judicial Magistrate or the Metropolitan Magistrate as the case may be within whose local jurisdiction the offence was committed.

The Magistrate holding such inquiry shall record the evidence according to the circumstances of the case.

If the Magistrate suspect the death of a person, and whose dead body was already interred, in order to discover the cause of death, may cause the body to be disinterred and examined.

The Magistrate can summon the relatives of the deceased to be present for inquiry.

The Judicial Magistrate or the Metropolitan Magistrate or Executive Magistrate or Police Officer holding inquiry or investigation as the case may be within 24 hours of the death the body shall be forwarded to the nearest Civil Surgeon or any other qualified medical practitioner appointed by the State Government for examination. If not able to do so the reasons might be recorded in writing.

[Relative means parents, children, brothers, sisters and spouse]