Section 33 CrPC: Powers of Appointed Officers – Code of Criminal Procedure

Whenever any person holding an office in the service of Government who has been invested by the High Court or the State Government with any powers under this Code throughout any local area is appointed to an equal or higher office of the same nature, within a like local area under the same State Government, he shall, unless the High Court or the State Government, as the case may be, otherwise directs, or has otherwise directed, exercise the same powers in the local area in which he is so appointed.

Explanation

This section empowers any officer designated under the CrPC to investigate or inquire into any offence, to exercise the same powers as a police officer. These powers include:

• Search and Seizure: The power to search premises and seize evidence relevant to the investigation.
• Arrest: The authority to arrest individuals suspected of committing the offence.
• Questioning Suspects: The right to question suspects and gather information.
• Recording Statements: The ability to record statements of witnesses and suspects.
• Investigation: Conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and following leads.

Illustration

Consider a case where the Income Tax Department appoints an officer to investigate tax evasion. Under Section 33, the appointed officer can exercise powers like a police officer to search the premises of the accused, seize documents related to the case, and question individuals involved in the tax evasion.

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